Let there be no doubt the key to this merger is how well the two companies blend their three multimedia players. Look at where they stand right now:
Macromedia Flash Player – 98% penetration of Web connected PC desktops, 10% of mobile deals.
-Flash Player can be stand alone, or be a seamless part of a web page.
-Output to Flash through FlashPaper is just as easy as writing to a printer.
-3rd party support by ISV dominates graphics market place.
Container for following multimedia:
-Font reference or complete font definition
-Multiple vector draw formats in compressed format
-Multiple bitmap image formats in superior compressed format
-Multiple audio formats in compressed format
-Multiple video formats in compressed and advanced streaming formats
-Proprietary animation format in superior compressed format
-Stored programs of ActionScript 2 (a JavaScript 2 clone) in superior compressed format
-ActionScript execution engine in superior compressed format
-Forms layout and associated data information
Adobe Acrobat Reader – 78% penetration of Web connected PC desktops, growing in mobile
-Acrobat can be stand alone but takes up complete web page.
-Output to PDF is available in most Office applications as option.
-3rd party support for Acrobat output also strong in database, BI, DTP, and graphics.
Container for the following multimedia:
-Font reference or complete font definition
-Multiple vector draw in compressed format
-Multiple bitmap image in compressed formats
-Multiple audio in compressed formats
-Multiple video formats in compressed formats
-Proprietary print control instructions universally adopted in industry
-XML configuration information user accessible/customizable
-Stored programs of JavaScript extended
-Forms layout and associated data information
Macromedia Shockwave Player – 53% penetartion of Web connected PC desktops
-Shockwave can standalone or seamlessly fit on web page
-3rd party support strongest in eTraining and eLearning markets
Container for the following multimedia:
-Font reference or complete font definition
-Multiple vector and 3D drawings in compressed format
-Multiple bitmap image in compressed formats
-Multiple animation and Flash formats
-Multiple audio in compressed formats
-Multiple video formats in compressed formats
-Stored programs of JavaScript and/or Lingo
-Quiz and user test taking instructions
Adobe+Macromedia will have three of the top five multimedia players on the PC and mobile markets along with Real and Apple . Microsoft Media Player, for now, is in a distant sixth spot at 43% penetration. How well the new common venture deploys these multimedia resources will tell the tale of the merger. I have seen so many promising multimedia matchups go the way of the headstrong Dodo. Just check our nearby graphic neighbors and Nerds at Corel on how well multimedia types get together. Sounds like Im from multimedia Missouri on how well this works.
(c)JBSurveyer 2005