As if new, updated MacBook Pro computers weren’t enough, Apple also decided that today was the day to unveil details on the next version of its flagship Mac operating system OS X. The update, known as OS X 10.7 (aka Lion) is now available to developers. Hopefully, that means a release to the rest of us is only a short time away.
In a press release today touting the developer release, Apple writes that Lion “takes some of the best ideas from iPad and brings them back to the Mac.” Some of the new features we can expect with Lion include Mission Control, Launchpad, and multitouch gestures as well as several others including:
• New Mail application (thank goodness): widescreen layout like the the iPad and Conversations, which automatically groups related messages into one easy to read timeline, more powerful search and support for Microsoft Exchange 2010
• AirDrop: copy files wirelessly from one Mac to another with no setup
• Versions: automatically saves successive versions of your document as you create it, and gives you an easy way to browse, edit and even revert to previous versions
• Resume: brings your apps back exactly how you left them when you restart your Mac or quit and relaunch an app
• Auto Save: automatically saves your documents as you work
• New FileVault: provides high performance full disk encryption for local and external drives, and the ability to wipe data from your Mac instantaneously
• Mac OS X Lion Server: makes setting up a server easier than ever and adds support for managing Mac OS X Lion, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices
Apple is expected to release the Lion sometime during the Summer. In the meantime, check out the full press release detailing the update after the break.
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