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If you haven’t heard the news, Adobe has open sourced the Flash 9 JIT Javascript Virtual Machine, named Tamarin. This is exciting news, given that until today, all open source Javascript engines were variants on abstract syntax tree implementations, namely Spider Monkey and JavascriptCore.

Here are some of the important bits from a brief overview of the Tamarin source code:

Javascript Compiler

This is a full featured Javascript to byte code compiler. This allows for more efficient execution environments, profiling, code verification, and semantic analysis. If you wanted to build, oh, say, a Flash or AJAX to J2ME converter, you could write a VM to handle only byte-code created by this compiler (eval and such may not work, unless you ported the compiler as well).

JIT Byte Code VM

A high performance just-in-time byte code VM with targets for PowerPC Macintosh, Intel 32-bit and ARM processors on UNIX, Macintosh, and Windows.

Garbage Collection

Not much to say here, an incremental garbage collector with different implementations based on different strategies. This is an important component for embedded device memory management. This may also be considered for use by future browsers for DOM object memory management especially for Firefox.

ARM Port

Possibly the biggest news is that significant work already exists for an ARM build of the Javascript VM. This paves the way for high performance mobile or embedded device implementations.

If you are working on a browser or mobile scripted apps platform (AJAX, Laszlo, Flex, etc.) platform, this is a huge deal. With Firefox adopting the engine, and its performance and E4X language support characteristics, Tamarin and its offspring might likely become the defacto execution and compatibility benchmark for AJAX and any scripted environments in both desktop and mobile.

The current CVS version doesn’t compile cleanly out of the box on my PowerPC Mac, but I’m sure in a few days, once people realize how big of a deal this is, the project will get whipped into shape quickly.

Technorati Tags: Tamarin, Javascript, Flash, Adobe, Mozilla, AJAX, SpiderMonkey, JavascriptCore

A photo of Jonathan Ive from MacWorld 2006.

Look for the iPhone soon… either next week or at the next Apple event in October.

Update: “When it’s done.” I guess there were some problems getting the iPhone out the door. It’s anyone’s guess now… but I’d put my money on MacWorld in January.

Technorati Tags: Apple, iPhone, Jonathan Ive, iPod, mobile, phone

Eric Schmidt just joined Apple’s Board of Directors. Google has been trying to build out their OSX development teams for some time. Apple has been taking their time with their web service and infrastructure strategy.

Here’s the recipe: Mix 1 cup Apple first class design with 1 cup Google’s first class infrastructure and algorithmic expertise and you have an unbeatable combination. I’m sure much speculation (GigaOm, TechCrunch) is already running rampant. So here are my 3 initial reactions to the Google Apple deal:

1. Google hosted .Mac-style service (ad supported). Already, I could see Google hosting all features of .Mac iLife, and iWork and provide it ad supported to all Apple customers. Of these, the most interesting implications would be:
   • Google hosted Apple publishing.
   • Google hosted Apple iDisk ~ Windows Live Drive.
   • Google hosted future Apple spreadsheet-style application.
2. Google hosted Apple iTunes streaming = iTunes Movies and Home Theatre. High quality and fast movie streaming with Google’s infrastructure and Apple’s design strengths.
3. Google hosted WebObjects or Apple iWork database / spreadsheet application. Although a spreadsheet app is in the cards for Apple, I wonder if Apple may be working on a hybrid database + spreadsheet application. With Google Base’s infrastructure, think hosted Access + Excel databases or spreadsheets with sexy GUI on top. Imagine the types of databases a small business (or even personal stuff like recipes) could publish or host in a Google Apple web office.

I avoid speculating on anything more long term strategic goals for the two companies, it’s really anyone’s guess here… like a Apple + Google MVNO or a Google WiFi + Apple iPod integration.. the list goes on here.

Technorati Tags: Apple, Eric Schmidt, Google, Steve Jobs