ANT integrates Macromedia Flash Player with ANT Fresco™ Browser to enable a new generation of interactive DTV and consumer electronics appliances
Partnership enables service providers to quickly deliver rich Macromedia Flash content to subscribers
Cambridge, 23 May 2002
ANT Limited, a leading provider of communications software and services for TV and consumer electronics, and Macromedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: MACR), today announced the integration of Macromedia Flash Player with the ANT Fresco browser. This newly developed plug-in application will enable the viewing of rich Macromedia Flash content and applications on any ANT-enabled device, such as a set top box (STB) delivering interactive games or visually-rich electronic programming guides, navigation menus or other user interfaces to the television. The partnership between ANT and Macromedia enables service providers to deliver enriched content to subscribers, greatly enhancing the viewing experience.
The integration of Macromedia Flash Player directly within ANT's software architecture, vastly simplifies the process of porting Macromedia Flash Player onto a new product, reducing OEM development times and costs. In addition, the player clears the way for the community of more than one million Macromedia Flash developers to create much more compelling interactive content and applications for delivery to TV appliances that use the ANT Fresco browser and platform architecture. Macromedia Flash MX simplifies the authoring process for visually rich applications, which bring new possibilities to the consumer electronics sector.
With a greater range of presentation methods including animation, sound and sophisticated interactivity, Macromedia Flash content is ideal for branded user interfaces, portals, advertising, games, e-commerce, navigational menus, information services and a host of other applications for TV and other home entertainment devices. With ANT Fresco supporting the delivery of such content, ANT's OEM and service provider customers are now able to deliver a richer, more sophisticated interactive experience.
"Offering Macromedia Flash support to our customers is integral to ANT's strategy of delivering an advanced browser with the functionality to render the widest possible range of content and interactive services, which is something that service providers depend upon for their business," said Simon Woodward, CEO & President of ANT Limited. "ANT is committed to delivering powerful and reliable rendering technology for use in consumer electronics devices. We are delighted to work with Macromedia in this partnership which will considerably reinforce this commitment."
"Macromedia Flash is defining the user experience on devices through its compact delivery format, lightweight client, and ability to deliver unparalleled user experiences," said Peter Meechan, vice president, Macromedia. "Working together with ANT, we will benefit developers, service providers, and consumers, advancing the availability of standards-based multimedia content for TV and other embedded devices."
About ANT Software Limited
ANT plc (www.antplc.com) is a leading provider of digital TV client and consumer electronic software solutions. ANT's unique client solutions allow robust and consistent delivery of digital-media, user interfaces, interactive services and applications to the TV and portable media devices. ANT enables service providers to efficiently create and deploy successful solutions to the market that deliver high value and clear differentiation.
ANT's products are pre-integrated with many industry-leading solutions and are based upon open standards, enabling low-risk, cost-effective roll-out of services, while ensuring flexible client hardware choice with efficient bill of materials. ANT software has been extensively deployed by customers throughout the world including Chunghwa Telecom, Foxconn, France Telecom, Humax, LG/Nortel, Philips, Sagem, Samsung, SaskTel, Telecom Italia and Thomson.
ANT plc's shares are listed on AIM, a London Stock Exchange regulated market, under the ticker ANTP (Reuters: ANTP.L, Bloomberg: ANTP.LN).
About Fresco Browser
ANT Fresco is a highly reliable, platform-independent browser, specifically designed for digital TV and other consumer electronics appliances. The core browser code resides within ANT's unique, patent-pending, three-layer software architecture, which consists of a portability environment to manage the interface to the RTOS and hardware platform, an applications layer to house the browser core and other applications, and a graphical user interface layer to enable flexible user interface design.
About Macromedia
Macromedia (www.macromedia.com) empowers millions of designers and developers to create effective user experiences across the widest array of platforms and devices. Through an open, integrated family of client, tool, and server technologies, Macromedia is driving a new generation of rich Internet applications that will radically improve the Internet experience.
Trademarks
ANT, the ANT logo, Galio, Fresco and PurePlay are all trademarks or registered trademarks of ANT Software Limited. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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