Microsoft Corp.
has reportedly killed technology it was developing that would bring 3-D
graphics to the Web.
In July, Microsoft unveiled plans for Chromeffects and a software developer
kit was released shortly thereafter. The company had planned to release an
enhancement to its Windows operating system incorporating the technology
next quarter, but various reports say Microsoft has shelved Chromeffects
development.
The much-hyped technology would enable Internet Explorer Web browsers to
display animation and multimedia that’s on par with 3-D computer games.
Microsoft officials could not be reached to confirm the reports of
Chromeffects’ demise. Several Microsoft partners also said they were
unaware of the pullback. However, some Web developers did say the news
is unlikely to have a big impact on developers.
The company most likely to be hurt by Microsoft’s decision is chip giant Intel Corp. Rob Enderle, an analyst with
market researcher Giga Group, said Intel was hoping Chromeffects would spur
demand for upgrades since Microsoft had said it would require a
350-megahertz Pentium II processor to realize the technology’s full effect.