Java 8’s new Optional type doesn't solve anything
The author is missing the point. The fact that Optional can result in a nullpointer doesn't mean you should use in the same manner as null-checks.You shouldn't replace:  if(x == null)
  {
    y = x.doSomething();
  }

with  if(optionalX.isPresent())
  {
    y = x.doSomething();
  }

You should replace it with:  y = Optional.ofNullable(x)
    .map(ClassX::doSomething)
    .orElse(null);