Sun Prepares RIA Resurgence With New Java Release

[CE-InFocus]

Sun is releasing a new version of client-side Java insipidly called SE 6 Update 10 that sets the groundwork for JavaFX, a major overhaul of the runtime environment set to debut before the year's end and challenge other RIA platforms such as AIR, Silverlight, and Google Gears. Update 10 comes with two major consumer-facing improvements: a smaller footprint and enhanced speeds. Whereas the current version of Java comes as a 14.5mb download, the newest has been slimmed down to 4.5mb. This will matter most for Windows users who don't have high-speed internet access (since Java comes prepackaged on Macs and the difference of 10mb is inconsequential over broadband). Nevertheless, the move reflects Sun's commitment to trimming down a technology that has been criticized for its bloat (many optional components no longer come preinstalled but must be added to the kernel after-the-fact).

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