Moving forward with next-generation software in two critical realms, Microsoft released Wednesday initial public beta versions of its Silverlight 2 multimedia presentation technology and the Internet Explorer 8 browser. The company announced the releases at its Mix08 conference in Las Vegas.
Implemented as a plug-in, Silverlight is Microsoft"s horse in the industry"s race to provide the most eye-catching visual effects; it competes with Adobe"s Flash Player and related technologies. Silverlight is cross-browser, cross-platform, and cross-device, Microsoft said. Version 2 features support for managed code and developing with multiple languages, including IronRuby, IronPython, javascript, and .Net. The beta is available from Microsoft"s Web site.