Flash Player 10, code-named Astro until its release, hit the web this week loaded with loads of new features, including:
- Improved text support that will give designers better control over typography, layout and foreign-language applications.
- Improved 3D graphics effects.
- Improved support for sound effects and audio files.
- The addition of a special effects plugin called Pixel Bender that is compatible with the latest versions of Photoshop and After Effects and will let designers add many filters and effects to Flash files.
Tech writer Stephen Shankland of CNET News said that despite the release of Microsoft's competing Silverlight technology, Adobe enjoys the advantage.
"Flash ... enjoys a very broad adoption, and users upgrade to the newer versions relatively swiftly," he said.
Microsoft Silverlight has been struggling to build a larger audience. The tech giant cut a deal with NBC to deliver all of its Olympics coverage with Silverlight, and earlier this week, Microsoft unveiled version two of the fledgling technology.
Silverlight 2 includes digital rights management (DRM) functionality, cross-platform support, deep-zoom technology and other features. In addition, Microsoft has also formed partnerships with AOL, Blockbuster, CBS College Sports, Toyota, and Yahoo Japan.
For more information or to download Flash Player 10, visit Adobe.com. For more information or to download Silverlight 2, visit Microsoft.com.