Simultaneously, Microsoft also released a beta version of its Windows Presentation Foundation Everywhere (WPF/E), which is designed to allow Windows Media-based content to display on a wider range of browsers and platforms.

In recent years, Microsoft has shown itself increasingly willing to compete with independent software companies, even though the continued success of its Windows platform depends on maintaining the goodwill of a large community of outside developers. Most recently, it has moved into the security market via its OneCare package and alienated its Windows Media format music-player partners through the development of the Zune.

One major difficulty for the new suite is that it is only being released for Windows users (despite the plans for WPF/E). The graphic design community remains heavily loyal to the Macintosh, something reflected in Adobe's relatively late move to Windows with its key tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
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