Sun Microsystems has released Java Standard Edition 6 Update 10 (SE 6u10), touting it as a major update for the ubiquitous web content platform.

Among the new advances in SE 6u10 are improved startup time for applets, improved graphics and faster installation. The new release will also allow users to drag and drop applets between the browser window and desktop.

Improvements include browser independence, better interoperability with other web platforms and the ability to run different versions of Java on the same machine.

The update also provides what Sun promises as the basis for the company's upcoming JavaFX release.

The widely-anticipated release is said to be Sun's answer to the Microsoft Silverlight and Adobe Air applications which aim to centralise the creation of rich internet applications.

"Java SE 6u10 pushes the envelope by adding more new features and functionality than in any previous update release and also constitutes an important milestone towards the forthcoming release of JavaFX," said Jeet Kaul, Sun's vice president of Java client engineering.