thelinuxlink.net

Java seems to be going in the Web 2.0 direction:
http://news.zdnet.com/2422-13568_22-200560.html - Applets will now run on the desktop without a browser

JavaFX stuff:
http://news.zdnet.com/2422-13568_22-200574.html
http://news.zdnet.com/2422-13568_22-200368.html
http://news.zdnet.com/2422-13568_22-200366.html

The new upcoming update 10 java plugin for FF will let you run this.
This podcast does a run down of some of newer Sun stuff covered during Java1:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/redmonk/riaweekly013.mp3

javafx was touted for a while, i think its about time something is done with it. The problem is that flash is so ingrained in the web its going be tough.