It’s not clear whether Java 7 is more for regular users or for developers at this point, because the Free Java Download link at java.com still takes users to Version 6 Update 29.

Until recently, it has been quite difficult to create Java based tray icons applications. JavaSE 6 (aka Mustang) now supports tray icon development with the TrayIcon API.

The "java -version" command shows Java 6 (1.6.0_33), not Java 7. Chuckles: The Oracle system preference pane has an option to "Place Java icon in the system tray".