20 December 2006
Major Release Provides Significant Enhancements for Web Services and Support for Dynamic Languages, Windows Vista and NetBeans Tools

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW), the creator of Java technology and the Solaris Operating System and the world's leading contributor of open source code, today announced the availability of Java Platform Standard Edition 6 (Java SE 6). The Java SE 6 release is the result of over two years of industry-wide development involving open review, weekly builds and extensive collaboration between Sun engineers and over 330 external developers.

Java SE 6 software makes development easier, faster and more cost-efficient and delivers enhanced functionality for web services, dynamic language support, diagnostics, and desktop applications. In addition, over 160 companies worked with Sun and tested their Java technology-based applications on the Java SE 6 platform to help ensure compatibility, stability and optimum performance for the Java SE 6 release.

"The new version of Java SE 6 technology is an extremely strong platform that both developers and vendors from the Middle East region can leverage on. Additionally, NetBeans IDE offers developers to capitalize on the new functionality in the Java SE 6 release. The Java 6 platform offers users an expanded dynamic language and web services support which can be optimized for building Web 2.0 applications and services," said Graham Porter, Marketing Manager for Sun Microsystems, MENA.

"Developer community has been one of the major drivers of innovation and education in the Java industry around the world. The new version will define how Sun's Java SE implementation evolves, and we look forward to working even more closely with the developer community on the next version of the Java SE platform." added Graham

Enterprise Desktop

The Java SE 6 release delivers significant improvements to the desktop, which enable Java applications to integrate even more seamlessly into the end-user experience. For rapid visual development of interactive applications, the Java SE 6 platform includes a new layout manager component, based on the NetBeans GUI Builder (formerly code named Matisse). The Java SE 6 software also provides enhanced support for the upcoming version of Windows Vista.  

Developer Support and Services

Developers using the Java SE 6 platform or Sun Developer Tools and technologies to leverage the Java SE 6 release, can get support through Sun Developer Services - Sun's complete line of developer how-to help, product support and updates, and training and certification programs (http://developers.sun.com/services). Sun Java MultiPlatform (JMP) Support (http://sun.com/javasupport) offers end-to-end, mission critical Java technology support for customers with heterogeneous computing environments and helps to optimize application performance and reduce risk. In addition to the existing one year offering, Sun is now offering new three year subscription pricing for JMP Support to help customers lower costs. Sun Developer Network Program (SDN) members can also get a 10 percent discount on the new Java SE 6 technology training course. Developers are encouraged to join the SDN , at no cost, by registering online at: http://developers.sun.com/register.

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About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer" -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com.

© Press Release 2006