Java to get Linux-friendly

Sun Microsystems plans to alter its licensing to make it easier to bundle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) with Linux and other open source operating systems. News.Com says Sun, which licenses Java to other software companies, has modified the terms to be more favourable to open source operating systems.

The changes affect the JRE software that needs to be loaded on PCs for them to be able to run Java applications. Typically, the JRE is downloaded separately, but now the intention is to make it easier to include in an operating system like Linux or OpenSolaris.

Sun has resisted calls in the past to open-source Java, but indications are that the coming JaveOne 2006 event may see Sun finally open-source portions of the Java Enterprise System.

Two patent applications published this week by the US Patent and Trademark Office provide some clues about Apple`s plans for a wireless iPod and Apple`s ambitions as a digital media distributor, reports The Register.

The report says the patents describe a future iPod that is bound to bring Apple into conflict with wireless carriers in the US that allow users to buy a song over the air, and then tag it for downloading to a home PC.

One patent application describes an iPod that`s fully wireless-enabled, but envisages it as a portable shopping cart rather than a device for sharing media. It also describes a method of tagging a digital media file on one device and network and downloading it to another device on another network.

Sony will delay the release of the first Blu-Ray disc film titles until 20 June, giving rival DVD standard HD-DVD time to get established in the market, reports Technews World.

Sony says the discs are ready, but retail and hardware partners asked for the month-long delay so the product launch will coincide with the availability of the first commercial Blu-Ray players.

Various file titles will be released on 20 June, when Samsung is set to release its delayed Blu-Ray player. Warner Home Video is also expected to ship its Blu-Ray movie titles close to the Samsung launch.

WiFi software stack company Devicescape has released an enhanced WiFi driver to the open source community under the general public licence, reports eWeek.

Previous versions of the Devicescape WiFi stack were available only to device vendors, but the new version is aimed at promoting developers to adopt the latest WiFi silicon technology into their wireless product designs without having to wait for silicon vendors to release Linux drivers.

Until now, WiFi card support has been limited, with many cards available in the market unable to work on a Linux system.