Apple has announced the next major operating system update for its MacBook and iMac computers.
Sticking with Apple’s big-cat name theme, Mountain Lion follows on from the current version Lion, and aims to further unify Apple’s computer and mobile device operating systems, bringing in several features from the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
The OS is set to launch in the summer, though today Apple has given developers and Mac fans a sneak peek at what’s to come. With Lion we had new features such as Mission Control, which laid out system applications in a very iPad-esque way. Apple looks set to continue this trend with Mountain Lion.
Making the jump from iOS to Mac will be Apple’s iMessaging service, Reminders, Notes, Game Center, iCloud and even the Notification Center. These are some of the big features of iOS, and it really shows where Apple is headed with its product portfolio.
With iMessage on Mac, we’ll be able to send instant messages between our iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, iMacs and Macbooks. We’ll also be able to sync reminders and notes easily from our iOS devices to a desktop equivalent app, which will make things nice and easy.
Apps aren’t the only iOS features jumping to OS X – Apple will be renaming key pieces of software on OS X so they have the same name as their iOS equivalents. Therefore, iCal will become Calendar, Address Book will become Contacts, etc. This will help to unify Apple’s mobile and desktop products, and make the whole process of switching between mobile and desktop much easier.
Sticking with the iOS-ification theme, Apple will be integrating the social micro-blogging site Twitter into OS X, just as it did with iOS in version 5. Users will be able to tweet links from within Safari as well as tweeting pictures and videos from within OS X programs.
While Apple’s OS X has been well known for being secure against online threats, in the past year some high profile pieces of malware have blighted that reputation, and Apple has plans to sort that. Mountain Lion will feature a piece of software known as Gatekeeper to defend iMacs and MacBooks against malware and other harmful software.
Apple’s plan here is obviously to attract those who love their iPhones and iPads to the Mac way of thinking. For those who already use an iOS device and Mac computer or laptop, Mountain Lion is just going to make things a whole lot easier.
Which of the features mentioned above appeal most to you?
Stay tuned for the latest on Apple’s forthcoming software update as we get it.
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Via: Pocket-Lint