Google is to add support for Java to App Engine, its service for running software on Google's own computing infrastructure. At the moment Google offers only applications written in Python. This is popular among the search giant's engineers but not as loved by the rest of the world.

Java, though, is commonplace among Google's server software, and Java support was the top-requested feature for Google App Engine. Google also announced other features for Google App Engine, including a "cron" feature that lets people schedule specific jobs such as sending weekly reports, and a Secure Data Connector that lets Google App Engine employ private data stored behind a company firewall.

Currently Java support is being tested while Goolge works out compatibility with existing Java software development tools and frameworks. The software is running a 1.6 Java virtual machine.