Sun Delivers Java Standard Edition 6 Update 10

Sun Microsystems recently announced the availability of Java Platform Standard Edition 6 Update 10, also known as Java SE 6u10.

Sun officials said the new release, announced Oct. 21, improves the usability and performance of the Java Platform on desktop computers.

Consumers, developers, and partners can download Java SE 6 Update 10 here.

New features in Java SE 6u10 include improved startup time for Java applications and applets, the ability to drag Java applets directly from the browser and have them run as desktop widgets, more powerful and stylized application graphics, a faster and simpler installation experience, and a new cross-platform look and feel, Sun officials said.

Click here to read a Q&A with Danny Coward, chief architect of the Client Software Group at Sun.

Java SE 6u10 also has a built-in Deployment Toolkit that ensures that end users run the most recent version of Java SE, the company said. And a new Java plug-in provides full browser independence and complete interoperability with Web 2.0 technologies and supports different versions of Java running at the same time on the same machine, Sun said.

"Java SE is a proven application developer platform that has evolved to provide one of the richest set of APIs and highest performance levels in the industry. With Java SE 6 Update 10, Sun is making Java easier to install, faster to start and more reliable than ever, resulting in a monumental improvement to the overall consumer experience," Jeet Kaul, vice president of Java Client Engineering at Sun, said in a statement. "Java SE 6u10 pushes the envelope by adding more new features and functionality than in any previous update release and also constitutes an important milestone towards the forthcoming release of JavaFX."