Enhanced graphical expressiveness, better font readability, performance enhancements...
New in v10.0.x ("Astro"): "Introduces new expressive features and visual performance improvements that allow interactive designers and developers to build the richest and most immersive Web experiences," including 3D Effects (easily transform and animate any display object through 3D space), new portable custom filters and effects using Adobe Pixel Bender, advanced text layout, enhanced drawing API, visual performance improvements; Beta Notes - Last Updated: 05.15.08 (v10.0 Codename "Astro" Beta Release)
Upgrade Meter:N/A
New in v9.0.x: New name to reflect new ownership (from Macromedia Flash Player to Adobe Flash Player); various security patches, minor enhancements, and bug fixes for earlier releases; Beta Notes - Last Updated: 04.09.08 (v9.0.124.0)
Upgrade Meter:N/A
New in v8.0 (codenamed 'Maelstrom'): Enhanced graphical expressiveness, better font readability (improved clarity), enhanced video (support for VP6 video), improved performance, file upload and download capabilities, enhanced privacy control, new IME context switching; Release Notes - Last Updated: 09.13.05 (v8.0.22.0)
Upgrade Meter:4
New in v7.0: Optimizations that double performance of previous versions, Action Script 2.0 support, user-controllable update notification, new development capabilities; Release Notes Upgrade Meter:4
Pros: An unprecedented multimedia experience, interactive audio/visual presentations possible
Cons: Shockwave sites are expensive to create, the sites can also be quite slow to download, for Web developers - adding Shockwave content can have a negative impact on search engine placement
