Futuro de Java: 2007

Lendo um artigo bem interessante de um dos gurus de Java pela IBM (http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/java/library/j-java2007.html?ca=drs-) , falando sobre o futuro de java em 2007. Alguns pontos ele falou interessante, especialmente sobre javaME... O futuro dele. O mais legal é que provavelmente esse ano deva iniciar aparelhos já com o novo profile MIDP 3.0 substituindo o 2.0. Entre as melhoras prometidas para esse profile é a possibilidade de rodar MIDlets em background e até rodar mais de 1 MIDlet por Máquina Virtual. Fora outros avanços em questao de trafego de redes (video e som), graficos etc.
Todavia entretando, o novo IPhone parece que nao terá suporte a JAva... q maldade! =P

Leia a parte do artigo em ingles:

(...)
Java Micro Edition

Moving from the largest to the smallest, what can we expect in the embedded space? The Java platform has been surprisingly successful on small devices over the years, and 2007 will likely build on this success. First up, look for version 3 of the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) to leverage the capabilities of today's more powerful devices. In particular, we should soon be able to run several MIDlets in one VM, including running one or more in the background. Also look for encrypted record management system (RMS) stores and IPv6 support.
Currently in development, the Scalable 2D Vector Graphics API 2.0 for Java ME should expand on the animation capabilities available in many devices. Besides SVG animation, it will also enable audio and video streaming. If the mobile networks ever open up, this could be really important -- think YouTube on a cell phone. (Of course, if the networks don't open up, it's just two-inch corporate ads no one wants to see. I'm pessimistic about this in the United States, but it may be more interesting in Europe.)
Mobile developers can can also look forward this year to the first phones that support the XML API for Java ME. This API is a carefully selected subset of SAX, DOM, StAX, and JAXP designed to fit into the memory-constrained environment of a phone. A lot of people think real XML can't fit into a phone -- this year we'll find out if they're right or wrong.
Even with all that good news, Apple's iPhone still poses a major threat to the Java platform as a mobile phone development platform. The iPhone is already the hottest, sexiest phone on the planet, and it's six months away from release. The problem is it's going to be a relatively closed platform, even by cell phone network standards, and it's not going to run Java code. Needless to say, this is terrible news for anyone trying to sell third-party applications for mobile phones, PDAs, and personal communicators.