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Apple, Oracle team on open Java project for Mac OS X

updated 09:40 am EST, Fri November 12, 2010

 

Apple and Oracle plan OpenJDK for Java in Lion


Apple and Oracle today set out plans for a new version of OpenJDK to keep bringing Java to Macs. The deal will see Apple give the tools and resources needed to bring Java SE 7 to Mac OS X, such as class libraries, networking, a visual client and both 32- and 64-bit HotSpot-based virtual machines. The Oracle project will make the technology ready to be used by open-source developers that could add to or improve Java on the Mac.

"We’re delighted to be working with Oracle to insure that there continues to be a great version of Java on the Mac," Apple's Senior VP of Software Engineering Bertrand Serlet said. "The best way for our users to always have the most up to date and secure version of Java will be to get it directly from Oracle."

The Mac maker also noted that Java wouldn't be absent in Mac OS X Lion, as Java SE 6 will still be available to install in Lion for apps that can work with the older release. SE 7 and later would be the first versions to require Oracle's help.

Apple is widely believed to have dropped Java due to the expense of maintaining a team to develop and support Java, but the statements mirror co-founder Steve Jobs' earlier statements that his company was often behind in versions due to its having to wait on and code releases. Mac App Store submissions aren't allowed to use Java as a "deprecated" technology in the OS.

Developers and corporate users had raised alarms at Apple's plan to drop in-house Java development, since certain apps require the tools. Relatively popular apps like CrashPlan backups, the CyberDuck FTP client and corporate tools such as Citrix often use Java both to simplify cross-platform development and to guarantee access without needing a fully native component.


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By Electronista Staff

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industry, software, Java, Sun, Apple, Oracle, Citrix, Lion, CyberDuck, CrashPlan

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Previous Comments

  1. hayesk

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Sep 1999

    +9
    11/12, 10:03am | report spam | reply

    So...

    ...the sky really isn't falling then.

    Next up... Apple and Unisys team up to support MacOS X Server running on virtual machines in third party servers.


  1. ZinkDifferent

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2005

    -6
    11/12, 12:34pm | report spam | (1 reply) | reply

    More like....


    "Apple, Oracle team up to bring virtualization of OS X server to SUN servers"

    Do your homework, and research the background, ownership, and products of the companies before making wild speculations....


    Comment buried. Show
  1. testudo

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    -10
    11/12, 12:48pm | report spam | (1 reply) | reply

    Re: So

    ...the sky really isn't falling then.

    This is what makes Mac users so angry. Could they have waited to say "Java is deprecated" until they made this announcement? Oh no, Apple has to do their part to drive irritation into their users and then come out later and say "But, see, it's all good".

    And the fanboy excuse for Apple's horrible customer appreciation or caring. The "Well, Apple's now announced a 'solution' to their own problem, so all's good, and all you people trying to figure out what to do just were running around in circles for nothing" attitude is just condescending.

    Next up... Apple and Unisys team up to support MacOS X Server running on virtual machines in third party servers.

    And why would Apple need to team up with Unisys. The only thing they'd need to do is change their license to allow virtualization on any hardware/OS and it would work pretty much now. But knowing Apple, they'd probably want to tie themselves to some niche high-end corporate server maker, and still leave all the small companies and groups out in the cold buying crappy excuse for servers (MacPros, Minis) or switching to some other system to get actual server hardware they need, and dealing with the lack of OS X on it.

    And if that was actually in the cards, could they not have announced that when they killed the xServes? Or keep the xServes around until they're ready to announce it?

    And why should any Enterprise customer trust anything Apple does or release, since they seem to not have a care for what these people go through when something as vital as a server line is just discontinued with no real replacement?


  1. osxtasy

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2008

    0
    11/12, 02:30pm | report spam | reply

    testudo, THIS is WHY...

    As quoted from another forum I read on the Xserve subject a few days ago...

    "The XServe was a great product at a great price, it didn't sell because Apple didn't sell it. And things don't get done at Apple when things are taken off of Steve Jobs priority list.

    Jobs has never had much interest any enterprise products, namely because he is awful at maintaining relationships. He simply doesn't get relationships, not with his girlfriends, not with his children, not with his family, not with his founding business partners, not with his vendors; indeed, pretty much not with anyone he is suppose to treat with respect instead of a mark.

    With consumers, you can sell them something and walk away, with business, you have to maintain a relationship. Jobs doesn't understand relationships. Virtually ever single business partnership Apple has attempted has failed due to neglect from the top.

    

Don't get me wrong, Jobs is a brilliant, driven man who is probably the greatest entrepreneur of the last century, but he has his faults. This is a one of them. It is tragedy, one that could have been prevented if Apple had been professionalized years ago with divisions and divisions managers given autonomy.

    Instead we still have this cultism, which is fun, and entertaining, and does produce a lot of successes, but occasionally it also results in someone loosing an eye."

    That pretty much sum's it up PERFECTLY.....


  1. testudo

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    -8
    11/12, 06:18pm | report spam | (1 reply) | reply

    Re: testudo, THIS is WHY...

    This is why what? Why they killed it? Why he treats his customers like c***? Why he, then, still sucks as a businessman and relies more on 'cool' and 'cults'?


  1. testudo

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    -1
    11/12, 06:24pm | report spam | (1 reply) | reply

    Re: Huh?

    Am I the only one who noticed Apple entered into an agreement with Unisys in October to sell service and support to the enterprise space?

    It was all over the news.


    And what has that got to do with xServes being killed or Apple basically treating customers like garbage? Are all those who rely on XServes supposed to just connect-the-dots every time Apple makes an announcement or kills a product, then cross their fingers and hope that what they think might happen happens?

    And, BTW, all that was announced was that Unisys would handle corporate/gov't servicing and support. Nothing at all about servers or any of the like.

    And even if there were some 'future' project dealing with virtualization, being Unisys, it would only end up applying to large organizations. It'd be much too costly for anything 'small business'.


  1. Jonathan-Tanya

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2004

    0
    11/14, 12:21am | report spam | reply

    This changes little

    The complaint that was made, is that Java won't be installed by default, you must get it from Oracle.

    This announcement just confirms that again....well Java 6 will be in Lion, that's nice. But Java 7, you cannot write a program in it, and expect it to work - because the user may not have Java installed.

    And you still can't write a Java app and expect to sell it on the Mac App Store.

    Everytime, they simply re-hash the same info, the fanboys announce problem solved. yes, you don't care about this issue - we get that.

    But for those that care about it - the problem is not solved. The reality is, I'm not using Java for writing a Mac app - zero chance of that now.

    This is what Apple wanted - and they are getting it. It's ashame, because writing an app for Android often involves Java, and if you could also do an easy port and be in the Mac App Store - that would have been nice to have that additional outlet.

    Anyway, for me, I've ruled out Java - and have already moved on with a different tech.


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