Adobe Announces Availability of Adobe Reader 8

Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced that Adobe Reader 8 software is available as a free download.

Adobe Reader 8 enables trusted information exchange between enterprises, government agencies, constituents and consumers who view, print, search, digitally sign and collaborate with PDF files. Adobe Reader 8 also features a new “Start Meeting” button that launches Adobe Acrobat Connect, an Adobe-hosted software service that provides real-time online collaboration through Adobe Flash Player.

Adobe Reader 8 features a new, streamlined interface with user customizable toolbars. Adobe Acrobat Professional users can now enable Adobe Reader users to fill and submit forms, save data and digitally sign documents. Adobe Reader 8 also features graphics processing unit (GPU) acceleration, which boosts performance when viewing graphics-intense PDF files, such as 3D content.

Adobe Reader 8 is now available as a free download at adobe.com/go/getreader/, and is available in English, French, German and Japanese versions. Chinese and Korean versions will be available later this year. Adobe Reader 8 is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, HP/UX, AIX, Solaris and SPARC platforms.