MACROMEDIA FLASH 5 SHIPS
New version of professional authoring standard features approachable
authoring environment and powerful scripting
San Francisco, California -- August 24, 2000 -- Macromedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:
MACR) today announced the availability of Macromedia Flash 5 software, the
professional standard for producing high-impact Web experiences. Macromedia
Flash 5 delivers an intuitive, approachable authoring environment to enable
both designers and developers to more easily create next-generation Web
sites and applications.
The reliability and performance of Macromedia Flash has raised the bar for
engaging and effective Web experiences. According to a recent NPD study, 92
percent of online users, more than 248 million people, already have the
Macromedia Flash Player installed and can experience Macromedia Flash
content immediately. Because of the ubiquity of the Macromedia Flash
player, global brands such as BMW, Coca-Cola, IBM, and Kodak make extensive
use of Macromedia Flash technology on their highly trafficked sites.
"The growth and acceptance of Macromedia Flash has been nothing short of a
phenomenon. It is everywhere," said Peter Goldie, vice president of product
marketing for Macromedia. "Users and publishers can author and deploy
Macromedia Flash content with confidence. With the release of version 5,
hundreds of thousands of Macromedia Flash innovators will quickly redefine
what the Web can be."
Macromedia Flash 5 scales to address a broad range of users and projects.
Designers will feel comfortable with the authoring experience, while
professional developers will wield the power of the robust scripting
environment and Smart Clips. Smart Clips encapsulate commonly used building
blocks of "user experience" that can be exchanged and reused by a workgroup
or the entire community. Smart Clips can range from standard user interface
elements to complex interactions, such as multiple choice questions with
variable responses for training applications.
Macromedia Flash 5 features breakthrough integration with Macromedia
FreeHand sofware to optimize the design process. Seamless file import of
native FreeHand files increases productivity by accelerating the
interchange of graphics with all editing attributes intact and editable.
The two products will be available as a complete design solution in the
Macromedia Flash 5 FreeHand 9 Studio.
Macromedia Flash 5 is tightly integrated with Macromedia Generator
software, the server-side solution for delivering dynamic graphics.
Macromedia Flash 5 ships with templates to author dynamic Generator content
so that professional Macromedia Flash developers can immediately experience
the benefits of an automated workflow. For a limited time, the Macromedia
Generator 2 Developers Edition will be available to registered customers at
a special price when purchasing an upgrade to Macromedia Flash 5. (English
language versions only.)
For a comprehensive breakdown of the new product features in Macromedia
Flash 5, go to
http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/features/
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Macromedia Flash 5 is now available for download at
www.macromedia.com/store, and will be available as boxed product in stores
and on macromedia.com in early September. Trial versions will be available
for download on September 1st. Localized versions in Brazilian Portuguese,
French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Swedish are expected to
ship within the next two months.
The English product is available in a standalone version for $399, or as
part of the Macromedia Flash 5 FreeHand 9 Studio for $599. Registered users
of Macromedia Flash can upgrade to Macromedia Flash 5 for $149 or the
Macromedia Flash 5 FreeHand 9 Studio for $249. Professional developers who
are registered users of Macromedia Flash can purchase the Macromedia Flash
5 Generator 2 Pro Developer Upgrade for $649, which includes Macromedia
Generator 2 Developer Edition at half of its $999 price until December 29,
2000.
ABOUT MACROMEDIA
Macromedia is passionate about what the Web can be. Its award-winning
products empower developers to provide the most engaging experience on the
Web, and enable more effective e-business. Headquartered in San Francisco,
Macromedia (NASDAQ: MACR) has more than 1,000 employees worldwide and is
available on the Internet at www.macromedia.com.
