Everyone loves the anticipation of an exciting show. And in this day and age, you can find one almost anywhere in the techno world. Example: there’s been something in the air for a long time between Microsoft and Adobe. The names are big and their developments even bigger. So, what’s going on? Let’s take a peek behind the velvet curtain.

Microsoft and Adobe.
Just recently, Adobe came out with an anti-trust lawsuit settled out of court, when Microsoft added the free PDF functionality in Office 2007, undercutting the ability to charge for the plug-in. You couldn’t have missed it; it was everywhere during the month of June. Reality: When the dust settled Microsoft backed down and are withdrawing it from the Office 2007 release.

Yet, that didn’t discourage Microsoft as they still have their own XPS (XML Paper Specification) print subsystem, also known as “Metro� which was announced last year. The system creates electronic based PDF-like documents supporting basic PDF characteristics. Microsoft intends to keep the Save as XPS function for Office 2007 and Vista. An open format, XPS will be similar to Opensource --an alternative to the Adobe PDF software format, allowing users to share, print and archive documents at the creation level by running the PDF functionality in its own authoring application.

Then there are the story headlines going on in the media graphics arena. . . .(feeling the anticipation yet?)

Adobe and Microsoft.

Adobe’s acquisition of Macromedia, Inc. in 2005 made computer news headlines. With the possession of Macromedia, Adobe also acquired Macromedia's Flash. And recently, there have been news reports of something called “Apollo�, a client-based software capable of running Flash applications online or offline, without a browser, using PDF as the container. A bundle of software that pushes innovative web applications to another level.

Around that same time, alongside Adobe’s new corporate possession, was the announcement of Microsoft’s Expression media suite of graphic tools known as Expression. Comprising the Expression studio is Expression Graphic Designer; Expression Interactive Designer; and Expression Web Designer. All three are graphic design tools to enhance the graphic designer and user end experience. CTPs (Community Technology Previews) for Expression Graphic Designer and Expression Interactive Designer were released in June and people are already commenting on it. It’s a big first step in the graphics department for Microsoft.

Pass the Popcorn

So what gives? Well, from the looks of it, both companies are coming to a head and seem to be geared towards making a statement about browser, PDF and media applications control to see who can put out the best stuff.

One word, two syllables: In-tense. No doubt about it being healthy competition, though (a little too healthy for some). And no doubt everyone’ll be waiting and watching for the outcome as the products come out in full fledged user versions.

In the meantime, the stage is set and the lights are on-- Pass the popcorn!