Steve Jobs knows what people need, period. As such the following quote is well suited:
“Java’s not worth building in. Nobody uses Java anymore. It’s this big heavyweight ball and chain.”
Sun’s announcement that they will create a Java platform for the iPhone is like a wet noodle hitting the ground. “Plop”… who cares! The very specific wording used in the Apple iPhone SDK is as follows:
An Application may not itself install or launch other executable code by any means, including without limitation through the use of a plug-in architecture, calling other frameworks, other APIs or otherwise. No interpreted code may be downloaded and used in an Application except for code that is interpreted and run by Apple’s Published APIs and built- in interpreter(s).
Thus the only way Sun can maybe enable Java on the iPhone is to create a developer API / library that is used to build standalone Java applications. These could then be sold individually on the Apple store, if Apple permits this. This of course would also prohibit a Java runtime and the running of local jar files. The last thing I need on an iPhone is another layer of interpreted byte code so I can see some shitty swing interface, some slow running monstrosity, a java.io.exception, and random reboots. For that, I have a Blackberry 8800. I think I will take a silky smooth UI that has $100 million in application innovations around the corner. Apple knows best for consumer electronics. Also, some great slashdot comments (1 2) on this issue!
post title concept from Digital Daily