Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference (PDC) keynote brought exciting updates for developers, with a focus on Internet Explorer 9 and extensive details on Silverlight 4. While IE9 remains largely under wraps, the company shared strategic insights into its direction, alongside a deep dive into Silverlight 4's enhanced capabilities.

Internet Explorer 9: A Glimpse into the Future

Microsoft offered a tantalizing preview of IE9, emphasizing performance, standards compliance, and hardware acceleration. Though details were sparse, the company confirmed:

  • Hardware Acceleration: Leveraging DirectX for faster rendering
  • Improved JavaScript Engine: Codenamed 'Chakra' for better performance
  • HTML5 Support: Enhanced compatibility with emerging web standards

'We're rebuilding IE from the ground up,' said a Microsoft spokesperson, hinting at significant architectural changes to compete with modern browsers.

Silverlight 4: The Star of the Show

While IE9 news was limited, Silverlight 4 took center stage with numerous announcements:

Key Features

  • Out-of-Browser Enhancements: Now with elevated trust capabilities
  • Webcam/Microphone Support: Built-in for richer media applications
  • Printing API: Comprehensive document printing support
  • Improved Data Binding: For more responsive applications
  • Multi-Touch Support: Ready for Windows 7 touch devices

Developer Tools

Microsoft showcased:

  • Visual Studio 2010 integration
  • Enhanced Blend support for UI design
  • Improved debugging capabilities

Privacy and User Choice

A recurring theme throughout the keynote was Microsoft's commitment to:

  • Transparent privacy policies
  • User control over personal data
  • Clear opt-in/opt-out mechanisms

The Road Ahead

Microsoft positioned both technologies as critical to their web strategy:

  • IE9 as the performance leader
  • Silverlight 4 as the rich application platform

Developers left the keynote with Silverlight 4 beta bits in hand and anticipation for more IE9 reveals in coming months.

Why This Matters

These announcements signal Microsoft's:

  1. Commitment to web standards
  2. Investment in rich internet applications
  3. Focus on developer productivity

As the web evolves, Microsoft is positioning both IE and Silverlight as complementary technologies for different use cases.