The JDK is a superset of the JRE. Version 1.1.6 is due out in April, with updates to awt, text and util class hierarchies. There will be binaries available for Windows 95, Windows NT and Solaris. JavaSoft tests indicate that this version is much faster, as they worked with Symantec on the JDK (Symantec's JIT is probably the fastest available). This version signals the end of Version 1 for Java.
On to JDK 1.2.... They are stressing platform independence and faster development. There is a desire to leverage current software investments (this is a driving force for JNI and CORBA, for example). The JFC will be included in this version of the JDK. The initial version of the Accessibility APIs will be included with this JFC - this is the first time a major development environment has provided complete and planned support for disabled access to software (I attended few sessions where this was discussed - I'm very excited by this development both for the increased accessibility to computers for disabled people and for the increased control we can have over our software).
I sat on the floor for this session and at this point they opened a door by me - I couldn't see or hear so I moved on....