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Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/02/apple_leopard_java/

Reality distortion for Java on Leopard?

Not cool, Steve

By Phil Manchester

Posted in Software, 2nd November 2007 17:10 GMT

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By releasing the latest version of Mac OS/X [1] without support for Java 6, Apple has managed to attain unpopularity and court controversy [2].

When Mac OS/X version 10.5 - or Leopard - was unleashed this week, many expected it would come with Java 6 support - not least because Apple as good as said [3] it would.

But when the code arrived, there was no Java 6 - and no explanation from Apple for the omission.

The lack of Java 6 and Apple's refusal to provide a roadmap for future availability has produced a strong reaction [4] against the Mac as a machine for development. To some [5] it'll be seen as further justification for their reason to abandon the Mac and proof of Apple's tardiness on Java.

All this comes as the Mac was beginning to emerge [6] as a strong candidate for development of open source applications - a platform where Sun Microsystems would like to see Java sink roots.

Surprisingly the opening blurb in the Java section of the Apple Developer Connection (ADC) [7] Web site, still proclaims Mac OS/X as the "only major consumer operating system that comes complete with a fully configured and ready-to-use Java runtime and development environment".

Is this another fine example of Steve Jobs' reality distortion field [8] at work, or do they know something we don't? Some are suggesting [9] Apple may well release Java 6 support sooner rather than later. If this is the case, it would be nice if Apple could let us know, rather than leaving people to figure things out.®