Microsoft Silverlight makes a deal with Nokia

March 5, 2008

Silverlight has been referred to as the "Flash Killer" because of its similarity to Adobe Flash

Microsoft Corp. has signed a deal with Nokia to make its Silverlight platform available for S60 on Symbian OS smartphone software, in addition to Series 40 devices and Nokia Internet tablets.

Microsoft’s Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in that delivers media experiences and interactive applications.

Nokia views working with Microsoft as “creating terrific opportunities and additional choices for the development community, S60 licensees and the industry as a whole,” per Lee Williams, senior vice president of Nokia’s devices software organization, in a statement.

Silverlight has been referred to as a “Flash Killer” because of its similarity to Adobe Flash. The software is already used by Entertainment Tonight, the NBA and NBC Universal.

Adobe Flash may be Silverlight’s main competitor and is already used on millions of mobile phones including Nokia handsets.

Microsoft is working on a version of Silverlight for its Windows Mobile software.

“This is a significant step in gaining broad acceptance for Silverlight and ensuring it is platform-agnostic,” said S. Somasegar, senior vice president of Microsoft’s developer division, in a statement.