As Apple fans wait in line for a chance to purchase an iPad 2, there has been some developments on the next major release for the non mobile OS. Last year at WWDC, Steve Jobs announced the 10.7 version of OS X was in the works, code named Lion, expected to be done sometime this year.
Recent rumors hint at the latest developer release of Lion, is close to being the Gold Master (final release). If this is true then we could see it as early as WWDC in June, if not then more details should emerge up until and possibly at WWDC...
Some of features that have been mentioned thus far show a convergence of iOS and OS X:
- New multi touch gestures (useful with a touchpad or latest Apple Mouse)
- Launchpad, creating a glass like layer that houses all applications, similar to Springboard (the mobile desktop where your apps live)
- Mission Control will show you all of the applications that are running on your computer, similar to the 'multi-tasking' features of the iOS
- AirDrop is an interesting feature that allows two devices running AirDrop to share files wirelessly. This could bode well for iOS losing its need to be connected to a computer for updates, but that is just speculation on my behalf.
On top of these features, you can expect a refresh to both Mail and Calendar, each taking on similar look and feel of the iOS and MobileMe applications.
Also included in this release, the OS X and OS X Server will converge, adding new features that only would be found on the Server platform. There will be improvements in screen sharing, making it multi-user, and increasing the capability to perform remote desktop management.
These are just some of the new features that are being added, not including any security, utility or interface changes. As WWDC nears, we should get more details of these and other features included in Lion. Who knows we might even be able to buy Lion by the close of WWDC, for now we will have to wait and see.
