Apple and Microsoft to Unify Java Technologies for the Macintosh
Will Work Together to Ease Developer Access to Native Mac OS Services;
Improvements in Java Performance,
Robustness Expected in Future Java Virtual Machine
CUPERTINO, Calif., and REDMOND, Wash., March 11 /PRNewswire/ — Apple
Computer Inc. and Microsoft Corp. today announced plans to converge their
Java technologies for the Macintosh(R) to create a single Java virtual
machine (VM) for the Mac(R) OS. The unified VM will be based on Apple’s Mac
OS Runtime for Java (MRJ) and will incorporate a variety of Microsoft(R)
technologies for Java. Currently, both companies offer Java VMs for the Mac
OS. The companies’ cooperation on Java technology promises to advance the
performance, robustness and functionality of Java support for the Macintosh
and promote greater consistency for Java implementations across Apple(R)
Macintosh and Microsoft Windows(R) operating system-based computers.
As part of the plans, Microsoft expects to license to Apple a variety of
technologies including aspects of Microsoft’s J/Direct(TM) API technology
for incorporation into MRJ. This will allow software developers to create
applications that meld the productivity of the Java language with the
native capabilities of the Mac OS. Apple expects to incorporate this
functionality into a future version of MRJ later this year. Once MRJ fully
supports these technologies, Microsoft Internet Explorer for the Macintosh
will rely exclusively on MRJ as its Java virtual machine.
“This collaboration will allow Apple to continue to provide a Java-
compatible VM while incorporating additional Microsoft technologies to
deliver the best possible Java experience for our customers,” said Avie
Tevanian, senior vice president of software engineering at Apple Computer.
“Apple’s recent Java work delivered significant advances with MRJ 2.0, and
today’s announcement will mean that our customers and developers can look
forward to an even more robust and high-performance Java environment on
Macintosh.”
“Macintosh customers and developers have greatly benefited from Microsoft’s
performance leadership and innovative Java technologies,” said Don
Bradford, general manager of Internet products for the Macintosh at
Microsoft. “Working with Apple promises to bring even better support for
the Java programming language to both developers and Internet Explorer
users on the Macintosh.”
The following are primary areas of cooperation between the two companies:
. * JDirect harmonization. Apple will extend the capabilities of its
JDirect technology by incorporating applicable features of Microsoft
J/Direct to enhance native language access and provide consistency for
development tools. JDirect gives Java developers direct, high-performance
access to native Macintosh system services such QuickDraw(R), AppleEvents,
contextual menus, drag and drop, and TrueType fonts.
. * Security Zones. The companies will integrate the Microsoft security
administration technology for Java with other Internet security options to
provide a simple and consistent model for managing security preferences.
. * Debugging. The companies will integrate the Microsoft VM debugging API
into MRJ, exposing a rich and consistent set of debugging capabilities to
Java development tools like Metrowerks CodeWarrior. This API will also
support debugging across languages, allowing developers to build
applications using multiple programming languages
. * Compatibility test suites. The companies will exchange their internal
compatibility test suites to facilitate consistency and compatibility with
real-world Java applications.
“Given our strong development relationships with both Apple and Microsoft
as a technology provider for Java and C/C++, we are delighted by this
agreement,” said Greg Galanos, president and chief technology office of
Metrowerks Inc. “The movement toward one Java VM on the Mac OS is a
definite win for the Macintosh developer and customer. We’re looking
forward to supporting the new JDirect and debugging capabilities on the
Macintosh.”
About Apple
Apple Computer Inc. ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s
with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with
the Macintosh. Apple is now recommitted to its original mission — to bring
the best personal computing products and support to students, educators,
designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140
countries around the world.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the
mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage
of the full power of personal computing every day.
CONTACT: Dagmar Glier, dagmarg@wagged.com, or Bill Schneider,
bills@wagged.com, both of Waggener Edstrom for Microsoft, 503-245-0905; or
Russell Brady, Apple Computer, 408-974-6877, brady2@apple.com