Sun Microsystems unveils JavaFX 1.0

Sun Microsystems, Inc. unveiled one of the most significant advancements to the Java(TM) platform with the release of JavaFX(TM) 1.0, a new platform that merges form and functionality for building rich internet applications (RIA) with immersive media and content for Web browsers and desktops.
The announcement signals a broad expansion of Java software’s ubiquitous reach to a wide range of Web developers, content authors and visual designers, and marks the next big innovation for the Java platform, extending its capabilities to include rich applications for all the screens of life, from desktops and browsers to mobile devices and TVs. Developers can download JavaFX 1.0 at: http://www.javafx.com.

Sun’s JavaFX 1.0 platform opens a vast global market for developers and content authors who want to deploy their content, services and experiences across all the screens of their customers’ lives. Worldwide industry estimates show that Java technology is already on more than 90 percent of desktops and laptops, 85 percent of mobile devices and is a technology leader in next-generation televisions, Blu-ray disc players and TV set-top boxes.

“The Internet marketplace has evolved within and well beyond the traditional Web browser, fueled by an explosion of Java-powered smart phones and consumer electronics devices, from Amazon’s Kindle to RIM’s Blackberry,” said Jonathan Schwartz, chief executive officer and president of Sun Microsystems. “Sun’s newest JavaFX platform unifies Java technology across billions of such devices, with an easy to use, open source platform now enabled with high quality video and audio, targeting consumers and content owners across the world – and across the Internet.”

Among the many innovations in JavaFX is the Java platform’s Drag-to-Install feature, allowing end users for the first time ever to simply drag-and-drop JavaFX applications from their browsers onto their desktops. End users will now be able to move applets that are running in their browser directly onto their desktop, providing users the most simple install experience for Internet applications and content.

JavaFX offers a dramatically shortened production cycle for both Java developers and Web designers and makes it easy to create applications integrating graphics, video, audio, animation and rich text. JavaFX is unique in that it provides a unified development and deployment model for building expressive RIAs across desktop, browser and mobile. In addition, using the new JavaFX mobile emulator, developers can also preview their applications on the forthcoming JavaFX mobile platform, which will be available to Sun’s mobile partners in spring 2009.