The highly anticipated 64-bit Java Plug-In and Windows 2008 support has been included in this release as well as other performance enhancement for Java and JavaFX applications. For a list of changes in this update, please check out the release notes. Download now to run the latest Java release!
The early access program for Java SE 6 Update 12 (6u12ea) is now available! You can download the early access builds at http://jdk6.dev.java.net/6uNea.html
This update release contains some of the most wanted features voted by the SDN Java community: 64-bit Java Plug-in for 64-bit browser users ( Note: if you use 32-bit and 64-bit browser interchangeably, you will need to install both 32-bit and 64-bit JREs in order to have Java Plug-In for both browsers.). We have also included support for Windows 2008. Don't wait until 6u12 release. Download the early access version and try it now!
This update release introduces new features and enhancements aimed at providing an optimized consumer end user experience. Java SE 6 Update 10 focuses on the following areas:
Enhanced JRE installation experience
The Deployment Toolkit takes the guess work out of determining what versions of the JRE end users have installed on their PC. It supplies Java based web applet/application deployers with a simple interface to accomplish Java detection and installation.
The Kernel online installer (JRE only) lets first time Java users run applets and Web Start applications without waiting for the whole JRE download. The default Kernel installation is expected to satisfy the requirements of most Java applets and applications, and any additional libraries that may be required at runtime are downloaded to complete the Kernel installation. This installation mechanism let the end user get up and running significantly faster, while the complete JRE installation takes place in the background. See Java Kernel FAQ for more information.
For current users of Java SE, the JRE update mechanism has also been improved, using a patch-in-place mechanism that translates in a faster and more reliable update process (the patch in place mechanism will take effect for end users who upgrade from this update release or later to a new update release). As an added benefit, follow-on update releases will no longer be listed as separate items in the Windows "Add or Remove Programs" dialog.
Improved performance and look & feel
The Java Quick Starter feature will prefetch portions of the JRE into memory, substantially decreasing the average JRE cold start-up time (the time that it takes to launch a Java application for the first time after a fresh reboot of a PC).
Hardware acceleration support: Java SE 6 Update 10 introduces a fully hardware accelerated graphics pipeline based on the Microsoft Direct3D 9 API, translating into improved rendering of Swing applications which rely on translucency, gradients, arbitrary transformations, and other more advanced 2D operations.
A new cross-platform Swing look & feel, Nimbus, provides a nice update over 'Metal' and 'Ocean'.
A new implementation of the Java Plug-In that is designed to address long-standing issues with applets, and which features improved reliability, the ability to specify large heap sizes, the ability to select a specific JRE version to execute a particular applet, improved Java/JavaScript interoperability, and better support for signed applets on Windows Vista.
The new draggable feature in Applet unifies user's browser and desktop experience - The New Plug-In allows you to drag an Applet off from a browser to your desktop and allows your Applet continues to run. In addition to dragging an Applet off from a browser, when user closes the a shortcut can also be created from this draggable Applet. The shortcut utilizes Java Web Start technology and allow user to launch the Applet with Java Web Start without opening a web browser. Thus, this feature unifies desktop application deployment via Java Web Start technology, and Applet deployment inside the browser.
We introduce new Java system properties to support the usage of version download and Pack200 without any server side requirements. This addresses the issue that is raised in RFE 6378311.
I'd say, download Java SE 6 Update 10 if you haven't already, take advantage of the above consumer features, create draggable applets to allow your users to drag it off from the website, point your users to the Kernel installer so they can have a faster installation experience, and use Java Deployment Toolkit to easily detect and deploy a suitable JRE for your applications.
One of the major features in Java SE 6 Update 10 is the new Java Runtime Platform (JRE) update mechanism. Going forward from 6u10, users will have faster and more robust experiences when updating their Java Runtime Platforms from one update release to another (ie. 6u10 => 6u11). This new Patch-In-Place update mechanism reduces the download size and increase the performance of the update process. In addition, there will only be one Java Runtime Environment left on users system. User will not see a list of JREs in their "Add or Remove Programs" anymore.
We have created a 6u11 dummy along with instructions for you to try this new feature. We would like you to try it and let us know your feedback. Please see http://jdk6.dev.java.net/testPIP.html for more information.
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Just a reminder, the 6u10 Post-Beta Survey will be closed on Monday. We are currently reviewing your inputs. Make sure to submit your comments if you haven't already.
After the first 6u10 Beta (build 14), we have come a long way in fixing bugs and collecting your comments. Thanks again for all your feedback and responses.
Now that b28 has released, please fill out this post-beta survey for the Java SE 6 Update 10 release and let us know how you feel about b28:
We have created a new poll asking for your opinion about when do you want 6u10 beta performs an auto-update. Please send in your vote here: http://today.java.net/pub/pq/208
