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Macromedia
Debuts Flash 4 For Distinctive, Full Screen Web Experiences
MP3 Streaming Audio, Powerful Interactivity, and
Workflow Enhancements Make Flash the Optimal Solution for High-Impact,
Bandwidth-Efficient Sites San Francisco, Calif.-Macromedia International User
Conference '99 - May 24, 1999 - Macromedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: MACR) today
unveiled a new version of its popular Flash(TM) authoring software.
First introduced in 1996, Flash has become the standard for creating
high-impact vector based Web sites that deliver sound, interactivity,
graphics and animations and perform flawlessly across multiple
browsers and platforms. Many leading companies, including Citibank,
PepsiCola, DaimlerChrysler, and Nestle are using Flash to create
beautiful Web sites that effectively communicate their brands. Flash 4 opens new design possibilities with
enhancements such as integrated support for high-fidelity MP3
streaming audio and commands for easily creating personalized sites
with sophisticated interactivity. In addition, Flash 4 dramatically
streamlines the development process with a revamped authoring
environment optimized to help developers create high-impact Web sites
that combine the production values of television with the immediacy of
the Internet. In a related announcement today, Macromedia
announced a Free Source licensing program for the Flash Player code,
speeding its incorporation into the next generation of Web-enabled
appliances. (See accompanying release, "Macromedia announces Free
Flash Player Source Code.") The Flash file format (.swf) is
already an open standard so that any vendor can create software
applications that output Flash files. The Flash Player currently ships with all major Web
browsers and operating systems (including Netscape Navigator 4.0.6 and
higher, Windows 98, Internet Explorer 4 and 5, AOL 4, Mac OS 8 and
above, Real Player G2, Web TV, and all Liberate Technologies set top
boxes) making Flash the most viewable rich media format on the
Internet. Over 77 percent of Web consumers can already view Flash
content without having to download any plug-ins, according to a recent
third party study. MP3 Audio, Sophisticated Interactivity Enhance Web
Experience MP3 streaming audio support in Flash 4 allows designers to
create new Web audio applications, such as long-form animations with
voiceovers and Newly introduced support for text entry fields in
Flash 4 allows developers to create more attractive and better
integrated Web forms, applications, and e-commerce front ends. Sites
can now easily gather customer data from within Flash-based Web pages,
and then pass that information to a Web server. Flash offers extensive
control over how user-entered information is displayed, allowing
designers to create richly interactive Web sites without sacrificing
aesthetic control. Flash 4 takes interactivity a step further, with an
enhanced set of Actions tha allow Flash developers to create
interactive interfaces and distinctive Web applications without
needing to do any programming. New "With Flash 4, Macromedia has brought Flash to
a level where it stands completely on it own," said Josh Ulm,
Design Director at Quokka Sports. " Macromedia has found a way to
balance what makes Flash conceptually unique with what makes
applications intuitive, smart and easier to use. Combine that with
fact that the Flash Source is now free, and the development platform
suddenly becomes wide open. For Quokka, that means complete control in
authoring the experience while providing our sports fans with the most
easily accessible and visually intense content on the Web."
Quokka Sports is a digital sports entertainment company based in San
Francisco, California. A Fast, Professional Development Environment "Flash 4 was indispensable to us in creating
the interface for shockwave.com," said Fabrice Florin, vice
president of online entertainment at Macromedia, referring to
Macromedia's new consumer business that was also announced today.
"The entire site is created in Flash 4, with custom interface
elements that can be dragged, collapsed, re-positioned and incorporate
audio cues-all within a scalable interface. The look of the Other Macromedia applications that publish to the
Flash file format include Macromedia FreeHand(R), which combines
professional illustration tools and a powerful, multi-page
document layout environment for print and Web multipublishing, and
Macromedia Generator(TM), the server side solution for automating and
personalizing Web site graphics. Pricing and Availability About Macromedia |
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