Moonlight (Silverlight for Linux) Coming To Android

[Garemlin]

What does this Moonlight thing actually do? I'm really confused

In a nutshell it is a Microsoft version/alternative to Flash. Many sites use it for streaming. Netflix for one.

[Ads]

[HTC Fan]

Is it better than Flash? Would someone have this over flash i.e. not have it installed at all? Or would people want both

[MadCruzer]

What does this Moonlight thing actually do? I'm really confused

Our Exchange 2010 server at work uses Silverlight to deliver a pretty decent web based Outlook client that can be accessed anywhere. Would be cool to be able to use it on the Xoom. Right now the site loads a pretty functional version without the Silverlight but the enhanced version would be cool.

[toastedmuffin]

No doubt, this is good news!

[Ian]

I'm in the UK and we need it to access Sky TV's SkyPlayer online TV streaming.

[Ixian]

Moonlight/Silverlight is currently the best option for live streaming video playback due to SmoothStreaming, far better than RTMP (Flash) and more widely supported than Flash's attempt at media-playlist/chunking (Flash Live streaming, only support in very few versions of FMLE/client). It's also very good for cross-platform web application development, though on that front Adobe has AIR, which is also pretty decent.

This is good news for Android. Netflix is doing their own thing due to DRM considerations but Android supporting Silverlight and Flash video playback is a serious plus for the platform. Especially considering that iOS supports neither, and probably never will.

Keep in mind though this means nothing for protected stream playback, as Moonlight does not support DRM in any form. So most commercial players (Netflix, BBC, etc) won't work anyway.

[Smokexz]

Finally, maybe some Netflix will come natively to the browser...

Sent from my Xoom

[Mikeus Maximus]

Our Exchange 2010 server at work uses Silverlight to deliver a pretty decent web based Outlook client that can be accessed anywhere. Would be cool to be able to use it on the Xoom. Right now the site loads a pretty functional version without the Silverlight but the enhanced version would be cool.

Tell me about it. Handy that with exchange 2010 you can get your email but the mobile site is very limited.

[markyguitar]

I'm in the UK and we need it to access Sky TV's SkyPlayer online TV streaming.

Im not sure this will work as it has been commented that it will not support DRM. All is not lost though as sky have confirmed they are working on an android app here and DRM seems to be the issue with rights holders

[paris1129]

Was looking for a silverlight solution for my Xoom and this old thread popped up. I guess there is nothing new on this front... Wouls be nice to have this on my Xoom.