What Is Microsoft Silverlight 2.0?

Microsoft Silverlight is an Internet browser plug-in application development tool. Developers use its features, such as animation, vector graphics and audio, to create rich and dynamic Internet applications. Microsoft Silverlight contains features, such as Deep Zoom. This tool allows you to use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out of images. Read on to learn more about Microsoft Silverlight.

History

Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 was created under WPF/E (Windows Presentation Foundation/Everywhere.

Significance

Microsoft Silverlight is playing significant roles in media events, such as the Olympics. Users are able to enjoy rich experiences when viewing these events on the Internet.

Features

Microsoft Silverlight supports playback of the following media formats: WMA, WMV and MP3. These formats will work on the browsers that Silverlight supports.

Function

Microsoft Silverlight comprises a solid presentation framework, including XAML, UI core, input and media.

Benefits

Microsoft Silverlight supports browsers not only on Windows, but Mac OS. It also supports operating systems for mobile devices, such as Windows Mobile 6 and Symbian.

Time Frame

Silverlight 2.0 was released in October 2008 and contained extra support for .NET languages, interactivity tools and development tools. Silverlight 3.0 was released in March 2009 and supports H.264 audio AAC decoding and video and 3D acceleration.

Theories/Speculation

Several states expanded the antitrust lawsuit that they have against Microsoft. They fear that Microsoft can make Silverlight the focal point when new versions of Windows are released, giving it an unfair competitive edge over Adobe Flash.

Resources

• Microsoft