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Sun renews phone ambitions with JavaFX Mobile

Sun Microsystems plans to launch JavaFX Mobile on Thursday, the second of a three-stage debut of technology it hopes will ease software design while modernizing its Java technology

JavaFX Mobile is a software layer that handles user interface elements such as graphics and animations on mobile phones. It's closely related to the JavaFX for desktops and laptops introduced in December and the JavaFX version for TVs that's still not released.

Sun is also announcing a few partners it's lined up to endorse the technology: mobile phone makers Sony Ericsson and LG Electronics, mobile phone network operators Sprint … Read more

Panasonic touch-screen camera gets megapixel bump

The new Lumix DMC-FX580 is a lot like the FX48 (that Panasonic also announced Tuesday). Both are 12.1-megapixel cameras (up from the previous gen's 10.1 megapixels) with a wide-angle 5x f2.8-5.9 25-125mm-equivalent lens with optical-image stabilization. Many other features are the same, too. Well, except for one big one: the FX580 has a 3.0-inch touch screen.

A refresh of the FX500, the FX580 has what Panasonic calls a "hybrid operating system," which lets you use a standard cursor key system for some settings, while leaving shooting options for touch control. Things such … Read more

Panasonic FX48 camera both wide and slim

Coming to a store near you (or possibly far if you shop online) in April is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48, an ultracompact camera with a wide-angle 5x f2.8-5.9 25-125mm-equivalent lens. The 12.1-megapixel camera also has the company's Mega O.I.S. optical image stabilization and new face recognition technology.

Yes, that's right, face recognition--not detection. As part of Panasonic's suite of Intelligent Auto features, the system allows you to register a face once it's been shot several times. It'll then pop up the name of registered faces when they appear in the … Read more

Fashion statement

Sick of looking at that same old cursor? Us too. Click any of the animated 3D pointers on CursorFX to view the change before you even close the app. CursorFX starts you off with a handful of well-designed cursors, from the prim, sleek arrow replacement to a lightsaber look-alike or a grinding gear. More freebies await in Stardock's online user gallery.

These basic cursor-changing functions are free to use, but those seeking more performative tricks can upgrade to the Plus version. $19.95 unlocks features that have your cursor dot the screen with color each time you click or … Read more

Trouble in Java Land?

I've never bought into the "Sun Microsystems is toast" thesis that you often hear tossed around at industry get-togethers. Even in a deepening recession, this is a company with ample resources and a wealth of talented developers. But with some of the hottest development action now taking place on mobile phone platforms, how relevant is Java going to be to the future tech conversation?

Earlier today, my colleague Stephen Shankland wrote about the debut of JavaFX, a Sun programming language that's supposed to be easier to use than Java. In his story, he quoted Sun CEO … Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: Facebook, Google open competing services

Facebook announced its Facebook Connect registration and marketing service today. And moments later, Google rushed out an announcement to journalists that it is making its competing service, called Friend Connect, available to Web site operators.

A new Firefox plug-in turns Amazon.com into piracy heaven for people looking to download music, movies, and other digital content for free. Also in this podcast: former WorldCom CEO Bernie Ebbers has asked President Bush for commuted sentence; Sun calls on a 13-year-old program to compete with Flash and other Web app programming tools; and a new free application makes searching easier for iPhone … Read more

With JavaFX, Sun seeks new coders, new revenue

With a back-to-the-future technology called JavaFX to be launched Thursday, Sun Microsystems hopes to attract a new class of developer while building a much-needed new revenue source.

JavaFX 1.0 returns to the sales pitch that Sun used during Java's launch more than 13 years ago: a foundation for software on a wide variety of computing "clients" such as desktop computers or mobile phones. JavaFX builds on current Java technology but adds two major pieces.

First is a new software foundation designed to run so-called rich Internet applications--network-enabled programs with lush user interfaces. Second is a new … Read more