Oracle pulls the plug on old JavaFX runtime
Having changed the underlying architecture of JavaFX, Oracle is discontinuing older versions of this platform for building RIAs (Rich Internet Applications). As a result, applications based on JavaFX 1.2 and JavaFX 1.3 will need to be updated to run on JavaFX 2.0 by the end of this year.
"Companies and developers who have JavaFX 1.x applications in use today are strongly encouraged to migrate their applications to the JavaFX 2," an Oracle blog post announcing the discontinuation stated. Read more...
JavaFX on iOS: Dead on arrival?
Oracle's efforts to enable developers to run JavaFX software on Apple iOS devices could run afoul of Apple, if Apple's past rejections of Java on iOS are any guide. But a potential showdown could be a ways off, as it remains to be seen exactly how far Oracle goes with its plan and whether the arrangement will actually ruffle any feathers at Apple.
Oracle turned developers' heads last week, demonstrating a JavaFX-based game running on an IOS system at its JavaOne conference in San Francisco. The demonstration coincided with the release of JavaFX 2.0, an update of the Java-based multimedia application platform targeted at a variety of devices and form factors.
In the past, Apple has balked at allowing the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) -- the core technology enabling Java to run on various platforms -- on its devices. But Oracle believes it is being compliant in its efforts to back JavaFX on iOS.
"The way this works is by linking the JVM into the program," says Adam Messinger, vice president at Oracle. "We know of a lot of iOS programs that are built this way with other languages besides Objective-C already today [and that] are being pushed through the [Apple] App Store." Read more...
Oracle shows JavaFX on iOS and Android
Oracle on Tuesday showed JavaFX rich client software running on both an Apple iPad and a Google Android-based Samsung Galaxy tablet, along with introducing a separate project using HTML5 to bring Java to Apple's iOS platform, called Project Avatar.
The company at the JavaOne conference in San Francisco also cited intentions to converge its Java ME (Micro Edition) platform, which puts Java on mobile devices, with Java SE (Standard Edition). Oracle also said it was delaying until 2013 the release of Java SE 8; it had been due next year.
Java has been barred from Apple's iOS devices, thanks to Apple's official policy not allowing third-party technologies, such as Flash Player or Java, on the units. But a brief demonstration showed a JavaFX game running on an iPad. This effort effectively puts Java on iOS but is still in a developmental mode. "We want to hear from the community. If this is something you want to see, we're happy to make it a priority," said Nandini Ramani, vice president of development in the Oracle Fusion Middleware Group. The Samsung Android device ran the demo as well, although Oracle referred to the device as a "Linux" unit without mentioning Android. Oracle is suing Google over Android, alleging patent violations. Read more...