Info-World's Must-have Gadgets for the Discerning Geek
Sure, you're getting an iPhone. But real techies will want these cool toys, too... InfoWorld has looked beyond the merely cool to uncover seven items that the truly leading-edge tech cognoscenti will want on their holiday lists.

Sun Labs Lively Kernel
The Sun Labs Lively Kernel is a new web programming environment developed at Sun Microsystems Laboratories. The Lively Kernel supports desktop-style applications with rich graphics and direct manipulation capabilities, but without the installation or upgrade hassles that conventional desktop applications have.

Sun Labs Voice Bridge
The Voice Bridge is software written in the Java Programming Language that handles Voice over IP (VoIP) audio communication and mixing for tasks such as conference calls, voice chat, speech detection, and audio for 3D virtual environments.

Project Fortress
Fortress is a new programming language designed for high-performance computing (HPC) with high programmability. Project Fortress is investigating programming language issues and developing the Fortress language. Their focus is on applying dynamic compilation to high productivity computation.

Elliptical Curve Cryptography (ECC)
ECC, a stronger, more efficient technology than RSA, which, because of its mathematical foundation, consumes far less processing cycles thereby opening up a world of new opportunities. Listen to the latest on crytopgraphy tech podcast.

JavaFX
JavaFXTechnology is a new family of Sun Microsystems products based on Java technology. JavaFX comprises a comprehensive set of runtime environments, widgets, development tools, and scripting environments. JavaFX Script is a highly productive scripting language that enables content developers to leverage Java to create rich applications and services for deployment on the widest range of platforms. Java Mobile FX is "a complete desktop-scale environment that puts the network in your hand," OpenJFX is available on the project site.

Porta-Person
A Porta-Person is a remote-controlled telepresence device that provides a link between local and remote people. These devices can be used in one of two contexts. In a 3D virtual world, a Porta-Person provides a bridge between the real and physical worlds by bringing an interactive representation of a physical space into the virtual space. In a business meeting, a Porta-Person provides "at the table" presence for remote meeting attendees.

Pulsar
Project Pulsar is an effort to create a true embedded OpenSolaris kernel on the PowerPC architecture. Solaris is a leading enterprise class operating system and not typically thought of as an embedded solution. Yet its architecture and features are well positioned to solve many of the emerging embedded requirements.

Second Life
Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents. From the moment you enter the World you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business. You'll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow residents. Because residents retain the rights to their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other residents. The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the in-world currency, the Linden dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online currency exchanges. Remember to visit the Sun Pavillion.

Open Source Java
Sun started a revolution with Java technology 10 years ago. With a free runtime, an open specification, and a platform-independent promise of compatibility, Java technology became a gold standard in embedded devices, mobile phones, on the desktop and within the enterprise. Now, in 2006, Sun is open sourcing its implementations of Java technology as Free/Libre software.

Project Darkstar
Project Darkstar, is harnessing Sun's expertise in development tools, Java technology, and massively scalable back-end infrastructure. A freely downloadable, early access SDK for writing client-side and server-side code is now available from Sun Labs at Project Darkstar.

Experimental Stuff
The technologies and services available from this site are experimental. They are not Sun products, nor are there plans to offer them as products.

Project Sun Spot
Researchers at Sun Labs are developing a system to solve the key challenges inhibiting development of wireless sensor and transducer applications.

Dare to DReaM
While the great DRM debates continue to rage, Sun Labs has made its open DRM specifications and code publicly available.

Contrarian Minds
The engineers, scientists, and dreamers of Sun Microsystems.

Project Looking Glass at Sun
Open Source Project Looking Glass
What if your desktop was actually a 3D environment? Project Looking Glass explores bringing a richer user experience to the desktop and applications.