Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Intel touts 'MP3 for 3D' universal graphics format

The Register has the article Intel touts 'MP3 for 3D' universal graphics format

In the first line it mentions that Microsoft, along with 30 other companies, are co-operating in the standard.

Not to long ago there was a push for Microsoft to adopt open file formats for their office suite. They naturally didn't follow through. Their reason is they have a virtual monopoly in office suites - despite very viable alternatives. If they adopted an open file format then that would, in their mind, strengthen the competitors and weaken customer lock-in.

Their motive for advocating an open 3D graphic format is that they have no stake in the 3D imaging market. If an open format is adopted then that gives them a leg up on taking over the 3D image market.

The interesting thing is how Microsoft "embraced and extended" the SVG format - only to make their own incompatible format WVG. This is in spite of the fact that Microsoft was involved in the specification. I would suspect they will use the same strategy with U3D.

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