Oracle and ARM to tweak Java

Oracle and ARM are working together to make the Java programming language more suitable for ARM processors, in order to encourage its use for embedded systems and enterprise software.

The work will customize the Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE) for ARM 32-bit platforms, making it more suitable for embedded systems, and the Java SE for ARMv8 64-bit platforms, where it could be used to build enterprise software and networking firmware to run on ARM servers and networking gear.

While Java was originally developed to work across different platforms, the new work will focus on improving the throughput and scalability of Java applications on ARM multicore systems.

In the market for embedded systems, Java could play a role in the emerging, so-called Internet of things, where it could be used in conjunction with energy-efficient ARM chips to build industrial control and factory automation systems.

As ARM pitches its processors as an energy-efficient alternative to x86 chips for servers, a boost in the one of the chief programming languages and runtime environments for enterprise software could help attract more organizational customers.

An optimized Java Virtual Machine (JVM) could enhance performance of enterprise Java systems on ARM multicore systems in a number of ways, according to ARM. Bootup times could be cut and more power could be saved through the additional work.

“A diverse, optimized software ecosystem must be in place to support these systems. This extended relationship with Oracle to enhance Java SE is an important step in growing the ARM ecosystem,” said Ian Drew, an ARM chief marketing officer and executive vice president for business development, in a statement.

Although ARM did not specify what work specifically the two companies would do, Java and ARM are no strangers. Oracle, and former Java owner Sun Microsystems, have been working on making Java and ARM compatible since 1996, when ARM helped port the JavaOS to the ARM architecture.

The company has done a lot of work with setting standards for Java in the embedded market in particular. ARM engineers have served on the Java Embedded Microprocessor Benchmark Consortium (EEMBC) subcommittee, which helps establish benchmark metrics for the embedded market, as well as on the Java Community Process Executive Committee, which helps to outfit Java for the embedded systems.

Oracle and ARM to tweak Java

Oracle and ARM are working together to make the Java programming language more suitable for ARM processors, in order to encourage its use for embedded systems and enterprise software.

The work will customize the Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE) for ARM 32-bit platforms, making it more suitable for embedded systems, and the Java SE for ARMv8 64-bit platforms, where it could be used to build enterprise software and networking firmware to run on ARM servers and networking gear.

While Java was originally developed to work across different platforms, the new work will focus on improving the throughput and scalability of Java applications on ARM multicore systems.

In the market for embedded systems, Java could play a role in the emerging, so-called Internet of things, where it could be used in conjunction with energy-efficient ARM chips to build industrial control and factory automation systems.

As ARM pitches its processors as an energy-efficient alternative to x86 chips for servers, a boost in the one of the chief programming languages and runtime environments for enterprise software could help attract more organizational customers.

An optimized Java Virtual Machine (JVM) could enhance performance of enterprise Java systems on ARM multicore systems in a number of ways, according to ARM. Bootup times could be cut and more power could be saved through the additional work.

"A diverse, optimized software ecosystem must be in place to support these systems. This extended relationship with Oracle to enhance Java SE is an important step in growing the ARM ecosystem," said Ian Drew, an ARM chief marketing officer and executive vice president for business development, in a statement.

Although ARM did not specify what work specifically the two companies would do, Java and ARM are no strangers. Oracle, and former Java owner Sun Microsystems, have been working on making Java and ARM compatible since 1996, when ARM helped port the JavaOS to the ARM architecture.

The company has done a lot of work with setting standards for Java in the embedded market in particular. ARM engineers have served on the Java Embedded Microprocessor Benchmark Consortium (EEMBC) subcommittee, which helps establish benchmark metrics for the embedded market, as well as on the Java Community Process Executive Committee, which helps to outfit Java for the embedded systems.

Three cool ways to tweak File Explorer in Windows 8

Microsoft may have bungled a few things with Windows 8 (snark reply: "Just a few?!"), but File Explorer isn't one of them.

For one thing, the file manager finally earned a home on the Taskbar (even if you have to switch to the desktop to find it). Even better, Microsoft endowed it with the now-familiar Ribbon interface, making for much easier navigation of your files (and Explorer itself).

However, I think it could be even better with a little tweaking. Here are three simple changes you can make to improve the File Explorer experience:

1. Customize the Quick Access Toolbar. See those tiny icons in the upper-left corner of the File Explorer window? Click the even tinier arrow next to them for a list of additional functions you can enable. Why add, say, a Delete icon when Explorer already has one? Because the latter appears only when you're viewing the Home tab. Put it on the Toolbar, however, and it's always just a click away.

2. Show all your folders. In an effort to keep things compact, Explorer shows an abbreviated list of your folders in the lefthand navigation pane. I'd rather see everything, which is possible by clicking the View tab, then the Navigation pane icon. Now simply click Show all folders.

3. Improve your view. I find that very few users ever monkey with Explorer's default view for files, even though it's often very valuable to do so. Thankfully, Explorer now gives you a preview of what each view will look like, a huge boon to users who might get confused by a sudden change. Just click the View tab, then mouse over the various options in the Layout section: Extra large icons, List, Details, etc. In the file area you'll immediately see how that view would look. Like what you see? Click the setting to implement it.
Have you found any other ways to fiddle with File Explorer and make it better? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Review: Nudge and tweak fate to pull off the perfect dinner in Save the Date

Save the Date Attempt to take a friend out for the perfect dinner in Save the Date. The unexpected and unusual crop up in every play-through.


Let's go grab some burgers. Or maybe Thai food sounds good? If everything else is closed I'm sure we can go for some tacos. It's just important that we get some dinner and have a really good time—and you can certainly try in Save the Date.

Choose between burgers, tacos and Thai food. Burgers felt like a safe bet.
What starts as a silly dating simulator—the kind where you play as a school kid trying to score a date with the hottie in homeroom through different dialogue trees—quickly turns into a surprising, absurd, deep-thinking experience that I guarantee you weren't expecting.

The premise seems simple enough: Take your friend Felicia on a dinner date and have a good time. At first, the corny dialogue will make your head will hurt from eye-rolling. The deliberate corniness grows more comical after playing through a few times, and it actually drives home the point of the game. And the deeper you get into the game, the deeper the dialogue gets.

Expect to see this screen a lot. Seriously.
As you get more involved in the story, the dialogue evolves, too: It gains substance and real meaning. You ponder Felicia's words and wait for the next tidbit of information she has to share. It feels like your responses really will make an impact. The key is to just get through that first play-through.

Save the Date isn't a one-trick pony. There are multiple outcomes that vary greatly. Taking someone out for a simple dinner becomes a laborious task of quick thinking and making logical decisions. Fate also plays a starring role. I won't say too much more on the subject, because it would venture far into spoiler territory.

Your first game will be quick, most likely under three minutes. However, it'll leave you playing for hours as you restart again and again. As early as your second play-through you'll begin to notice subtle changes that morph the game in different directions, and it quickly becomes obvious that each play-through is not an isolated occurrence.

Be an official l33t h4x0r in four easy steps. Courtesy of the devs.
If you made a decision that ended the game prematurely, it will make a nice cameo with a new option that uses this knowledge to your advantage. Are you psychic? Some sort of meta user? Or maybe you're just thinking clearly this time.

Don't be afraid to poke around. The best strategy is to get your nose in Felicia's business, her personal life, and her history. On the next play-through you can use this to your advantage to both surprise her and change the game to go on just a little longer each time. Even the game files have some fun Easter Eggs, such as one that lets you hack the game by changing one value. If you know where to look, you'll find some pretty simple hacking instructions.

Skip the parts you've played through a million times by quicksaving right before making a decision.
Save the Date is free, bite-sized, packed with content, and manages to surprise you time and time again. It could have been a lame, run-of-the-mill dating sim but instead experiments with multiple story lines, combining the past and present, and blurs the lines between playing a character and being the character. If you're looking for a good laugh with some interesting surprises, Save the Date is worth the time it takes to install and play through a couple of times. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself still playing in a few hours.