Java SE 7 is the next major release for Java SE.
The details are sketchy, same goes for timelines, although Alex Miller has a nice round-up, and generally a good place to start.
Also, here is a summary of Java 7 update by Mark Reinhold, cheif engineer for Java SE.
So, what major features scheduled for release are you looking forward to?
Well with the removal of closures, extension methods, first-class properties and reified generics... not a lot.
Seriously, what's the point?
Well... I won't be looking for closures, they're out.
Module system is the runner up.
Null dereference expressions - Null checks with '?' syntax similar to Groovy... letting developers avoid a nest of null checks.
Better type inference - Example around generics instantiations, but it was not clear how far the inference would be taken (the more the better in my opinion).
Multi-catch - (yes!) allows a comma seperated list of disjunctive exception types in catch clause.
Safe rethrow - Allows a broad catch clause, with the compiler being smarter on what you're allowed to rethrow based on what is thrown from the try block. (I had not seen this before but it looks nice)
Closures would have been the biggest deal for me.
However, with the proliferation of JVM languages like Groovy and Scala, the features and speed of development of those languages means I find it very hard to actually get worked up about anything in mainstream Java.
Admittedly I think that's how it should be, and I see Java going more conservative now, consolidating its existing position rather than pushing for more features. I'm happy to use Scala for closures and actors and case classes and pattern matching and promoted immutability, rather than demanding that Java copy these ideas.
Better support for dynamic languages for an even better JRuby and other dyn. lang. implementations will be nice.
Type Annotations (JSR 308), e.g. to define a list of strings which must not be null:
List<@NonNull String>
Removal of old deprecated code. Modular system so that we can strip out unwanted packages Further HotSpot improvements
In other words: Lets just get something simple out and lets talk about closures etc for the next release!!