I just spent some time digging through the WWDC schedule and session to see if I could find anything about Java on Leopard. First of all, Java is NOT DEAD on Max OS X and Leopard should ship with some version of Java. And from what WWDC pages read, Apple may actually have a few cool features in store for Java on Leopard. From the WWDC session pages:

“New features and performance enhancements make Java a greatly improved technology on Mac OS X Leopard. Discover how Leopard makes the Java development experience better than ever with resolution independence, a crisper Aqua look and feel, a 64-bit virtual machine, and more. Get the latest news on WebObjects and find out how other developers are using Java successfully on Mac OS X.”

It took a while to find that since all of the session descriptions require a click to reveal them. But from what the description reads, it definitely sounds like Java on Leopard will take advantage of several of Leopards core technologies. Most notably is 64-bit Java and resolution independence. These two items alone can explain the perceived hiatus that Java 6 has been on. But based on the WWDC descriptions, it also seems pretty clear that Java 6 (or a 64-bit Java 5 version) will most likely not run on Mac OS X Tiger 10.4 as it won’t support these technologies. The session titled “Discover Java on Mac OS X Leopard” which takes place Thursday morning at 9am PDT, should reveal more about the state of Java on the Mac. Hopefully, the information from this session becomes public and soon!

As I have pointed out in a previous post, Apple’s commitment to the Java platform appears to be dwindling. Apple has updated their Leopard Preview page to show some of the previously unannounced new features of the OS. What’s suspiciously missing in the features section is any mention of Java 6, or even any mention of Java at all. Contrast this to the “Advanced Technology” section of the Tiger overview page, and you’ll see a very specific mention of Java 5. I am now starting to be very concerned about the state of Java on the Mac.

Of course, this could all go another way completely and Apple could submit their implementation to the OpenJDK or Apache Harmony projects.

Think Secret is now saying that Apple will release an all new “brushed aluminum” iMac next week. They go on to say that Apple “may also take advantage of the timing to replace its 23-inch Cinema Display with a 24-inch model that uses the same panel as the iMac.” If Apple does refresh both lines, I’m inclined to think that the displays will have an integrated iSight camera and the iMac will be headless and be called the Mac. We’ll see!

I’m starting to think that I’ll finally get my wish and that Apple will consolidate both the Mac Mini and iMac lines at WWDC and introduce a new system called the Mac. The Mac will be a headless mini-tower, or “cube” that will be the desktop equivalent of the MacBook. I’m basing this prediction partly on recent rumors and Apple’s current branding pattern with the Mac line.

First, the rumors: If you take a look at MacRumors excellent buying guide, you’ll see that both of these models have not been updated since September 2006. AppleInsider recently ran an piece recently predicting the death of the Mac Mini. Next, there is ThinkSecret’s prediction that the 17-inch iMac will also get the axe. But why stop at 17? Additionally, no rumor site has any word on what’s in store for next Mac mini and some have indicated that the next iMac would have a “striking new design“. Such a bold new design may also mean that it could be also be a completely new model. This is something I believe to be true. Additionally, there has also been long running rumors about Apple refreshing it’s display line with built-in iSight cameras. Displays with built-in iSights would fill the void left by a system without an integrated display and iSight.

Next up is Apple’s current branding strategy. With the exception of the iMac and and Mac mini, Apple has chosen to drop the “i” and “Power” designations from it’s laptop line leaving the MacBook (replacing the iBook) and the MacBook Pro (replacing the PowerBook). The desktop lineup has the Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Pro. From a branding perspective, it’s not inconceivable that Apple could consolidate the Mac mini and iMac into simply, the Mac. This would simplify the entire Mac line up considerably with just 4 basic models.

So what would the specs for the “Mac” be like? As mentioned earlier, the Mac will not have an integrated display like the iMac but would be larger than the Mac mini, yet significantly smaller than the Mac Pro. As for specs, here’s what I think Apple could do: On the low end, we’d see at least a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo with an integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics processor and at lest 1GB of RAM and at least 160GB hard drive. The mid-range systems would be sporting a 2.2 to 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo with varying nVidia graphics processors and 1 – 2GB standard and a 250GB drive. On the high-end, we could even see a quad-core system (not a Xeon however) with a high-end nVidia graphics processor.

I’m only basing this on all on rumors and have no inside information to based this on, so keep that in mind.