The Blu-ray Disc Association, keeper of Sony's next-gen DVD format, has decreed that all players sold after
Oct. 31 shall include support for BD Java, a Blu-ray-specific dialect of the programming language that will mainly be used to create picture-in-picture features.
Good news for "special features" junkies but not so good for early Blu-ray adopters. Current Blu-ray machines will still play any movie but may not be able to access director commentaries and other interactive features as BD Java use proliferates.
Unlike players based on Toshiba's HD-DVD standard, Blu-ray machines don't necessarily have an Ethernet port, making firmware updates a dicey proposition.
Blu-ray Disc Specification Change Threatens Current Players [DailyTech]
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