This week’s Java roundup for January 22nd, 2024 features news highlighting: WildFly 31.0.0, Eclipse Store 1.1.0, BellSoft Liberica Native Image Kit, multiple Quarkus and JHipster Lite releases and Jakarta EE 11 updates.
OpenJDK
After its review had concluded JEP 455, Primitive Types in Patterns, instanceof, and switch (Preview), has been promoted from Proposed to Target to Targeted for JDK 23. This JEP, under the auspices of Project Amber, proposes to enhance pattern matching by allowing primitive type patterns in all pattern contexts, and extend instanceof and switch to work with all primitive types. Aggelos Biboudis, Principal Member of Technical Staff at Oracle, has recently published an updated draft specification for this feature.
JDK 23
Build 7 of the JDK 23 early-access builds was made available this past week featuring updates from Build 6 that include fixes for various issues. More details on this release may be found in the release notes.
JDK 22
Build 33 of the JDK 22 early-access builds was also made available this past week featuring updates from Build 32 that include fixes to various issues. Further details on this build may be found in the release notes.
In his weekly Hashtag Jakarta EE blog, Ivar Grimstad, Jakarta EE Developer Advocate at the Eclipse Foundation, has provided an update on the progress of Jakarta EE 11 and beyond. As per the Jakarta EE Specification Process, the Jakarta EE Specification Committee will conduct a progress review of the planned Jakarta EE 11 release and vote on a ballot to approve. If the ballot does not pass, the release date of Jakarta EE 11 could be delayed.
Also, the Jakarta EE Working Group has been thinking beyond Jakarta EE 11 and discussing some ideas for new specifications, such as Jakarta AI. The group has created this Google Doc for the Java community to review and provide input/feedback.
Spring Framework
The Spring Framework team has disclosed that versions 6.1.3 and 6.0.16, released on January 11, 2024, addressed CVE-2024-22233, Spring Framework Server Web DoS Vulnerability, that allows an attacker to provide a specially crafted HTTP request that may cause a denial-of-service condition if the application uses Spring MVC and Spring Security 6.1.6+ or 6.2.1+ is on the classpath.
Version 3.2.1 and 3.1.8 of Spring Shell have been released deliver notable changes: a resolution for the command alias not working on the type level when the subcommand is empty; a split of the JLine dependencies due to issues with native image and to avoid importing classes that may not be needed in an application; and a resolution to the shell cursor not being restored in the terminal multiplexer (tmux) if the shell is hiding the cursor. Both versions build upon Spring Boot 3.2.2 and 3.1.8, respectively. More details on these releases may be found in the release notes for version 3.2.1 and version 3.1.8.
The release of Spring Cloud Commons 4.1.1 has been released featuring a bug fix in which implementations of the Spring Framework BeanPostProcessor interface were not registered correctly when the @LoadBalanced annotation bean was instantiated during auto-configuration. Further details on this release may be found in the release notes.
BellSoft
BellSoft has released versions 23.1.2 for JDK 21 and 23.0.3 for JDK 17 of their Liberica Native Image Kit builds as part of the Oracle Critical Patch Update for January 2024 to address several security and bug fixes. Other notable improvements include: support for AWT and JavaFX fullscreen mode; intrinsified memory copying routines on AMD64 platforms and, where available, they now use AVX instructions for better performance; and SubstrateVM monitor enter/exit routines for accelerated startup of native images.
WildFly
Red Hat has released version 31 of WildFly with application server features such as: support for MicroProfile 6.1, Hibernate ORM 6.4.2, Hibernate Search 7.0.0 and Jakarta MVC 2.1; and the ability to exchange messages from the MicroProfile Reactive Messaging 3.0 specification with Advances Messaging Queuing Protocol (AMQP) 1.0. This release also introduces WildFly Glow, a command line and a set of tools to “provision a trimmed WildFly server instance that contains the server features that are required by an application.” InfoQ will follow up with a more detailed news story.
Quarkus
Red Hat has also released version 3.6.7 of Quarkus with notable changes such as: ensure that the refreshed CSRF cookie retains its original value based on the presence of the token header; dependency management for the Hibernate JPA 2 Metamodel Generator; and a resolution to entity manager issues with Spring Data JPA when using multiple persistence units. More details on this release may be found in the changelog.
Quarkus 3.2.10.Final, the tenth maintenance release in the 3.2 LTS release train, primarily delivers resolutions to CVEs such as: CVE-2023-5675, an authorization flaw with endpoints used in Quarkus RestEasy Reactive and Classic applications customized by Quarkus extensions using the annotation processor; and CVE-2023-6267, an annotation-based security flaw in which the JSON body that a resource may consume is being processed, i.e., deserialized, prior to the security constraints being evaluated and applied. Further details on this release may be found in the changelog.
Helidon
The release of Helidon 4.0.4 delivers notable changes such as: a resolution to the currentSpan() method defined in the TracerProviderHelper class throwing a NullPointerException in situations where an implementation of the TracerProvider class is null; a cleanup and simplification of the logic to determine which type of IP addresses, v4 or v6, to consider during name resolution in WebClient configuration; and security propagation is now disabled when not properly configured. More details on this release may be found in the changelog.
The release of Hibernate Reactive 2.2.2.Final ships with: a dependency upgrade to Hibernate ORM 6.4.2.Final; removal of unused code that caused a ClassCastException in Quarkus at start up; and new annotations, @EnableFor and @DisabledFor, to enable and disable, respectively, tests for database types. More details on this release may be found in the release notes.
The second alpha release of Hibernate Search 7.1.0 provides: compatibility with Hibernate ORM 6.4.2.Final, Lucene 9.9.1 and Elasticsearch 8.12; an integration of the Elasticsearch/OpenSearch vector search capabilities; and the ability to look up the capabilities of each field when inspecting the metamodel. Further details on this release may be found in the release notes.
Versions 15.0.0.Dev07 and 14.0.22.Final of Infinispan ship with dependency upgrades and resolutions to notable bug fixes such as: a flaky test failure from the testExpirationCompactionOnLogFile() method defined in the SoftIndexFileStoreFileStatsTest class; an IllegalArgumentException from within the getMembersPhysicalAddresses() method defined in the JGroupsTransport class; and a NullPointerException due to a failover of the Hot Rod Client hanging. Further details on these releases may be found in the release notes for version 15.0.0.Dev07 and version 14.0.22.
JHipster
Versions 1.3.0, 1.2.1 and 1.2.0 of JHipster Lite have been released to deliver bug fixes, dependency upgrades and new features/enhancements such as: use of the LinkedHashSet class instead of the HashSet class for improved reproducible generated code; use of Signals and Control Flow, new features of Angular 17; and support for Protocol Buffers. More details on these releases may be found in the release notes for version 1.3.0, version 1.2.1 and version 1.2.0.
Testcontainers for Java
The release of Testcontainers for Java 1.19.4 ships with bug fixes, improvements in documentation and new features such as: an enhancement in the exec command that supports setting a work directory and environmental variables; support for MySQL 8.3; and an increase of the default startup time for Selenium to 60 seconds. Further details on this release may be found in the release notes.
Gradle
The third release candidate of Gradle 8.6 provides continuous improvement in: support for custom encryption keys in the configuration cache via the GRADLE_ENCRYPTION_KEY environment variable; improvements in error and warning reporting; improvements in the Build Init Plugin to support various types of projects; and enhanced build authoring for plugin authors and build engineers to develop custom build logic. More details on this release may be found in the release notes.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
