Oracle has released a collection of new Java updates for OS X. The most important of these is Java SE 7 Update 6, which brings SE 7 to OS X for the first time. Matching an updated Java Runtime Environment is a new Java Development Kit, plus the JavaFX 2.2 rich client platform and JavaFX Scene Builder.
Oracle is now primarily responsible for maintaining Java on Macs. Until late 2010 Apple would normally spin off its own Java releases, but the result was that Java for OS X was often behind counterparts for Windows and Linux, creating unnecessary speed and security issues. At one point the recent Flashback series of Trojans exploited Apple’s slow pace in fixing Java vulnerabilities. For those who need it, Apple is still maintaining the Mac edition of Java SE 6.
