Sun Debuts Java Store at JavaOne

SAN FRANCISCO -- Sun Microsystems President and CEO Jonathan Schwartz, along with several others, kicked off the 2009 JavaOne conference on June 2 here with the debut of Sun's Java Store, a global marketplace for Java applications, as well as a host of other new services, applications and projects.

The new Java Store will enable companies and developers to distribute content to an estimated 800 million Java desktop users worldwide. The Java Store is a consumer-facing storefront that enables the discovery and purchase of Java and JavaFX applications. The Java Store is a network service that offers developers and companies a nearly unequaled distribution channel for reaching potential customers and driving revenue through the sale of innovative new content, Sun officials said.

In an earlier blog post on the Java Store, which he referred to as "Project Vector," Schwartz said the only other technologies that offered similar distribution capabilities are Windows and Adobe's Flash.

“Whether you are a Fortune 500 company or a small software startup, your primary need is the ability to reach customers. The Java Platform reaches more customers than just about any other software platform in the industry,” said Eric Klein, vice president, Java marketing at Sun, in a statement. “We're building new business opportunities and are thrilled to launch the Java Store to connect developers with hundreds of millions of Java users. The Java Store will become the destination for the most interesting, useful and entertaining Java software and content.”

Sun announced that a private beta program for the Java Store has already begun and is expected to open for all U.S.-based Java users later this year. Sun also announced that developers can begin submitting Java Platform Standard Edition (Java SE) and JavaFX-based applications to the Java Warehouse for distribution in the Java Store. Consumers can visit http://store.java.com to sign up for a chance to participate in the Java Store private beta program and developers can visit http://java.sun.com/warehouse to submit applications for the Java Warehouse.

The Java Store, created in Sun's JavaFX rich internet application (RIA) technology, will automatically be delivered to end users via the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), Sun said. The Java Store contains personal productivity, business, social graph and entertainment software organized in a simple and intuitive user interface. The Java Store also allows users to safely install applications by simply dragging them from the Java Store directly onto their computer desktop, greatly simplifying the software installation process.

Meanwhile, the Java Warehouse is the repository for applications submitted by developers for distribution in the Java Store. The Java Warehouse will facilitate the aggregation, management and distribution of Java applications across all the screens of a customer's life – browser, desktop, mobile and TV. While Sun manages the desktop-focused Java Store, mobile and TV service providers can use the Java Warehouse to acquire high quality applications for their existing, private branded storefronts, Sun officials said.

In addition to the launch of the Java Store, Schwartz and Sun also announced key updates to its JavaFX and GlassFish Portfolio software. In addition, Sun also previewed the upcoming versions of Java Platform Standard Edition 7 (Java SE 7) and Java Platform Enterprise Edition 6 (Java EE 6).

“Java is one of the most ubiquitous and widespread technology platforms the world has ever seen – and its future has never been brighter,” said Schwartz. Schwartz noted that there are more than 6.5 million Java developers worldwide, and more than 7 billion Java devices, including more than 2.6 million mobile devices, 40 million TV set-top boxes and 800 million Java desktops.

Meanwhile, as the JavaOne show unfolds, a number of industry leaders will share the main stage during the opening session of the conference to demonstrate how Java technology plays an essential role in their businesses' technical road maps and product offerings, such as:

·         James Barrese, vice president of architecture, platforms and systems at eBay, will discuss how eBay has leveraged the Java platform to build the world's largest marketplace.

·         Alan Brenner, senior vice president of BlackBerry platforms at RIM, will share how Java helps power its suite of devices, including the BlackBerry Curve, which outsold all other smartphones in the U.S. during the last calendar quarter.

·         Don Ekland, executive vice president of advanced technologies at Sony will talk about Sony's work with Java on the Blu-ray platform.

·         Lowell McAdam, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless, who will outline his company's strategic decision to deploy Java Platform Micro Edition (Java ME) -based services in its network and offer Java-based services and applications to its subscribers.

·         Diane Bryant, CIO of Intel will discuss Intel's work with Sun in integrating Java technology on its next-generation of processors.

And Sun Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Scott McNealy, and Oracle CEO, Larry Ellison, will close the opening session by discussing Java's role in computing.