Stories about: On2 Technologies

Sun Microsystems recently unveiled the first public beta of its JavaFX framework for RIAs (rich Internet applications). There's a lot to like about the new SDK. It's rich in capabilities, and its Java-like syntax makes it a good springboard to RIAs for Java developers. But even in Java shops, Sun and JavaFX are behind not just one eight ball but two. Heavyweight competitors Adobe and Microsoft, with Flex/AIR and Silverlight, respectively, offer RIA toolsets that are not only far more mature but also include tools that bridge the all-important gap between designers and coders.

Sun Microsystems is trying to rejuvenate Java, using the JavaOne conference last week to position the 13-year-old Java platform as a foundation for next-generation technologies in such spaces as rich Internet applications and cloud-based services.

In a world where the list of scripting languages for application development seems endless, is Sun's JavaFX Script one too many?

It's easy to assume that open source and multimedia are mutually exclusive. A common criticism of free desktop Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, is that they lack support for multimedia playback, even for common formats. But don't blame the distributions' packagers. A maze of patents has accumulated around multimedia through the years, covering every aspect of playback and encoding. Even the MP3 format is restricted by patents that conflict with the requirements of free software licenses.

With the licensing costs of MPEG-4 still at issue for content delivery companies, VP3 makers On2 Technologies Inc. and Vorbis developers Xiph.org today announced a potentially appealing alternative.

Streaming video technology developer On2 Technologies is seeking a government review of MPEG-4 licensing plans, which it argues may violate antitrust law.

Streaming video technology developer On2 Technologies is seeking a government review of MPEG-4 licensing plans, which it argues may violate antitrust law.