The Microsoft alliance part is definitely true. Not only did MACR mention MSFT in their press release, but MSFT owns about 10% of RealNetworks (who currently develops RealFlash with MACR).
Your comment that you "really see a future here once bandwidth increases" makes sense, however, there is no need to wait that long. The beauty of Flash technology is that is doesn't require much bandwidth at all. You can create a MINUTE long animation sequence in Flash which is less than 10k in size. Yes, I said 10k. The reason some of the Flash animations around the web are larger is because they use sound (sound takes up WAY WAY WAY more space than vector graphics). Now, back to your comment. When bandwidth becomes more readily available, that is when bandwidth-dependant companies like RealNetwork will hit their stride. What does that mean for Macromedia? Well, if RealFlash becomes a hit, it means a virtual lock on the delivery of high-quality web content.
Here's the scenario which I would like to see occur:
Macromedia and Real get together to develop a browser of their own which is compact in size and optimized to view/hear Flash and RealAudio. Along with that, it can also process standard HTML and Java so it can be used to view all of today's standard sites. It would have to be advertised on TV to generate maximum excitement. I believe that with all of the negative opinions surrounding today's browsers, it would be entirely possible to get people to switch over.
Then, once enough people get hip to the browser, the sky's the limit for MACR and Real. You might be saying to yourself, "why would MSFT want to participate in anything which would circumvent their browser?" Well, for one, it would be a great way to quiet all the criticism they've been getting from the Justice Dept and from the general public. Remember, they own some of Real so they'd still benefit directly too.
Just some thoughts. |
