Apple said that its next OS X operating system, Mountain Lion, will be available in July as a download from the Mac App Store.
This is said to introduce more than 200 features including an all new Messages app, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, Facebook integration, Dictation, Power Nap, AirPlay Mirroring, Game Center and enhanced security via the new Gatekeeper. Support for iCloud is extended, making it easier to synchronise content across all devices.
Using an iCloud account, Mountain Lion can set up Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Messages, Reminders and Notes. The new Reminders and Notes apps is intended to let you jot down thoughts quickly. Documents in the Cloud works with iCloud-enabled apps including Apple’s iWork suite so you can always access and edit your documents on any device.
The new Messages app replaces iChat and brings iMessage to the Mac, so you can send messages to anyone with an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or another Mac. This also supports some other messaging services, including AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk and Jabber.
New system-wide Sharing is built into Mountain Lion, allowing links, photos, videos and other files to be shared. Facebook and Twitter are integrated with Notification Center so you can receive notifications when someone sends you a message or mentions you in a post or Tweet.
Dictation is built into Mountain Lion and allows you to dictate text anywhere you can type, including third party applications as well as Apple’s. Mountain Lion also introduces Power Nap, that keeps the latest MacBook Pro with Retina display and MacBook Air (second and third generation) up to date while it sleeps. This automatically refreshes Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, Notes, Photo Stream, Find My Mac and Documents in the Cloud, and when plugged in, downloads software updates and backs up your Mac using Time Machine.
The new Gatekeeper feature makes downloading software from the Internet safer by giving users control over which apps can be installed on their Macs. You can choose to install apps from anywhere, or for maximum security you can set Gatekeeper to allow only apps from the Mac App Store.
Pricing & Availability
OS X Mountain Lion will be available in July from the Mac App Store. UK prices haven’t been announced yet but the US price will be $19.99, equivalent to about £13, but history suggests it’ll be more like £20. Mountain Lion requires Lion or Snow Leopard (OS X v10.6.8 or later) to be installed already, plus a computer with 2 GB of memory and 8 GB of available space.
The Mountain Lion Up-to-Date upgrade is available at no additional charge via the Mac App Store to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorised Reseller on or after 11 June.
Contact: www.apple.co.uk
