Biz break: Ellison tells developers Oracle will continue to support Java - San Jose Mercury News

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison said today that he wants to promote wider use of Sun Microsystems' Java software in both consumer and business products — possibly including netbooks or mobile devices — once his company completes its $7.4 billion acquisition of Sun Microsystems later this year.

In his first public comments since announcing the purchase in April, Ellison assured several thousand software developers attending Sun's annual JavaOne conference that he plans to continue investing in Java and promoting its use.

"I don't expect a lot of changes, just expanded investment and a lot of enthusiasm coming from Oracle," said Ellison, who noted that much of Oracle's business software is already based on the Java development platform.

Ellison also made a vague reference to the possibility that Oracle might produce consumer products such as netbooks or mobile devices based on Java. He has previously indicated that he plans to use both companies' expertise to develop new appliances for commercial data centers that integrate the companies' hardware and software.

Thanks Larry I feel so much better now that you will promote Java, that really makes my day, and wow both in Consumer products AND Business products. My suggestion for waht it is worth is to focus on Business first. While much of Oracle's and BEA's business is based on Java and you customers are companies, that makes sense wouldn't you agree? The fact you (Oracle) wants to create consumer products is at least disturbing, let's face it neither Oracle nor SUN has any experience in creating consumer products. So what's your next acquisition target? Apple! At least the folks at Apple know about consumer products. But fortimately Apple is too big and too expensive for your appetite.