[jonhohle]

Haven't we seen this before? It was called J++ and was part of the embrace, extend, extinguish campaign.

I'm shocked at some of the comments, which seem identical to the sentiment 20 years ago. This isn't a different Microsoft, if anything, this is a return to their old playbook.

[noblethrasher]

The difference is that J++ was an attempt to prevent other people from simulating a “better” computer/platform on top Of Windows.

This new thing is Microsft trying to simulate a “better” computer/platform on top of iOS and Android. In this case, “better” means that it also includes Windows.

[jonhohle]

The new thing is exactly what J++ was about. Support some set of Java features, extend it with incompatable, "better" features, and finally, ensure that those features were non-portable. We're seeing the first two now, the third follows when strategically beneficial - maybe that will never happen because they've lost too much momentum.

Microsoft loves to show how they are a team player, but consistently breaks those relationships at the moment that is most beneficial to them.

What's most amazing to me is that people have been falling for it for 30 years.

[jayvanguard]

I don't know why this is downvoted. This is exactly right. See you in 2-3 years when everyone has forgotten about their latest desperate attempt.