Akamai and Microsoft work to improve online video

Software giant Microsoft Corp. and Akamai Technologies Inc. of Cambridge today announced plans to enable high-definition quality experiences on personal computers.

Akamai provides managed services for powering rich media, dynamic transactions, and enterprise applications online.

Akamai said it will release a beta version of a new service, powered by Windows Server 2008 and Microsoft Silverlight, to deliver rich Internet applications via the world's largest HTTP edge network.

Meanwhile, Microsoft of Redmond, Wash., said it is introducing new Web server technology, called Internet Information Services 7.0 Smooth Streaming, that "gives consumers instant start-up times and no buffering by adapting the quality of the video stream in real time based upon changing connectivity speed."

"This enables companies to boost brand awareness and advertising revenues by extending average viewing times," according to Microsoft and Akamai.

"We've seen firsthand the growing demand for HD online content among our customer base," Tim Napoleon, chief strategist of digital media at Akamai, added in a statement. "In a broadcast model, typically the experience is consistent across 100 percent of the viewing audience. The challenge is that capabilities in the online world vary greatly for each user. Adaptive streaming allows the video to adjust to the audience, maximizing each user's experience. We believe that this technology, combined with an open video player solution that embraces existing development and ad standards, will allow us to offer the scale and reach needed to grow the business of online video."

Please click here to read a story in this morning's Globe about a Microsoft initiative to transform the company with a "cloud computing" platform.

In August, Akamai's low stock price fueled speculation that the Cambridge company was in play, according to business website alleyinsider.com. Microsoft was among the companies cited as a possible buyer.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)