Macromedia Flash Player 7 Now Available; Introduces User-Controllable Update Notification and Powerful New Development Capabilities

Business Wire, Sept 10, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 2003

Macromedia(R) (Nasdaq:MACR) today announced the immediate availability of Macromedia Flash(TM) Player 7, the leading rich Internet client. This new version offers twice the performance of previous versions, user-controllable update notification, and powerful new development capabilities. The world's most ubiquitous rich Internet client, Macromedia Flash Player is installed across more than 97 percent of Internet-connected desktops and a growing number of mobile devices including Sony Clie handhelds, the HP iPaq, Pocket PC, and all NTT DoCoMo i-mode 505i series handsets.

Optimizations in Flash Player 7 double the performance for many operations. The new player offers particularly significant performance gains for Mac OS X users, ensuring a consistent cross-platform experience. The new user-controllable update notification capability allows users to effortlessly keep up to date with the latest version. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) support enables developers to blend HTML and Flash with consistent formatting. New support for Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) Web services connectivity allows developers to create rich Internet application user interfaces that handle enterprise data in a service-oriented architecture.

"Flash is Cygnus' development tool of choice for our online, point-of-sale, and commerce applications, which have processed millions of dollars in transactions for our clients," said Ian McMillan, marketing manager, Cygnus Entertainment, a Macromedia Alliance partner. "The amazing speed of Flash Player 7 and the ability to auto update provide better performance, including super-charged video playback, that reaches our clients' customers with experiences that they will remember and re-use. We used Flash and Flash Player to deliver an interactive way to sell excursions for Virgin Holidays, featuring video footage from helicopter tours and top Las Vegas shows to greatly enhance the shopping experience."

For more information on the features in Flash Player 7, visit http://www.macromedia.com/go/flashplayer/.

Pricing and Availability

Macromedia Flash Player 7, a free download, is available immediately from www.macromedia.com in both English and localized versions.

About Macromedia

Experience matters. Macromedia is motivated by the belief that great experiences build great businesses. Our software empowers millions of business users, developers, and designers to create and deliver effective, compelling, and memorable experiences -- on the Internet, on fixed media, on wireless, and on digital devices.

Macromedia, the Macromedia logo and Flash are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc., which may be registered in the United States and internationally. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.