Oracle Takes Over Java Updates for Mac OS X
Ars Technica reports that Oracle, the company that manages the Java development environment, has taken over distribution of Java for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion (older versions are not supported). Since Apple has failed to update Java as quickly as Oracle has in the past, this should mean that Mac users will be protected from future Java vulnerabilities more quickly. Unfortunately, this 1.7.0_04 release of Java does not support the Java Plugin and Java Web Start applications, meaning that Java applets won’t be available to Mac users who install Oracle’s code. Therefore, it’s probably best holding off on Oracle’s version of Java until those pieces are available, or until a new security vulnerability makes it unavoidable.
If you are a patent lawyer, don't install Java 7.
The USPTO sent an alert Thursday, May 3, 2012 titled: "Patents Alert to EFS-Web and Private PAIR Users: Please Do Not Install Java 7" The gist of the e-mail was "At this time, EFS-Web and Private PAIR do not support Java 7." For those of us who rely on these sites, such an update is a deal-breaker. Fortunately, I use a Mac, and so didn't fall victim to this.