Sun Microsystems is all about the connection. On Wednesday at the JavaOne Conference in San Francisco, Sun announced it’s launching the Java Store, a network service that will connect developers with millions of Java users.
The store, created in JavaFX, will be made available to 800 million global desktop Java users who will be able to purchase Java applications and content, including business, social and entertainment software.
The user interface is simple, according to the company, and allows users to install apps by dragging the apps from Java Store directly to the desktop.
“Whether you are a Fortune 500 company or a small software startup, your primary need is the ability to reach customers,” said Eric Klein, vice president of Java marketing at Sun. “The Java Platform reaches more customers than just about any other software platform in the industry.”
Sun is already testing the store in a private beta program that will be open to all U.S.-based Java users later this year, according to the company.
Developers, however, don’t need to wait until later this year to submit applications. They are being encouraged to submit Java Platform Standard Edition and JavaFX-based apps to the Java Warehouse for distribution in the store once it is live. Both developers and users interested in participating in the private beta program need to first sign up on the Java Store Web site.
Sun also announced the Java Warehouse, a repository for apps submitted by developers for entry into the Java Store. Sun will manage the desktop version of the Java Store. Java Warehouse apps will first be targeted at Mac and Windows users in the United States who use Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari browsers.
Eventually, however, mobile and TV service providers will use the Java Warehouse to gain access to applications for…