JavaSe6
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Apple releases Java for OS X Lion Update 1, Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 6
Lion and Snow Leopard users -- there's something waiting for you in Software Update this morning. Apple has released Update 1 for Java for OS X Lion, as well as Update 6 for Java for Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard). Apple says in the notes for Java for OS X Lion Update 1 that it provides "improved compatibility, security and reliability." The update is 62.53 MB is size, and Apple recommends shutting down all browsers and Java applications prior to installing the update. The notes for Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 6 are pretty much identical. The 10.6 update is a bit larger at 75.45 MB. Both of the updates bump Java SE 6 to version 1.6.0_29.
Apple contributing to OpenJDK project, ensures continued Java availability on OS X
As of just a few weeks ago, Java's legacy of write once, debug everywhere was looking in doubt. Apple's flavor of the Java 6 runtime was deprecated and all those .class and .jar files on Macs were looking like they'd swirl to a lingering death in the great coffee pot in the sky. That all changes today with an announcement from both Apple and Oracle that Cupertino developers will "contribute most of the key components" for OpenJDK Java SE 7 implementations on 32- and 64-bit flavors of OS X, with runtime virtual machines set to cover both Snow Leopard and the upcoming Lion release. Additionally, Apple will continue to make the SE 6 version of Java available, while Oracle will take over responsibility for ownership and distribution of version 7 and those to come. Makes sense -- Apple might be pulling away from the enterprise and server markets, but there are lots of Java devs using Mac OS X out there, and it's only natural for Oracle to pick up support for them.
