Apple Unveils OS Mountain Lion

Apple has just released a preview version of its new Macintosh operating system, bringing some features of the iPad to the desktop.

Apple said Mountain Lion includes a new Messages application which replaces iChat and allows a user to send unlimited messages, photos and video from a Mac to another Mac or a device running iOS software such as the iPad or iPhone.

It also includes integration with Twitter, allowing users to sign in and tweet directly from Safari, Photo Booth and third-party applications. There was no mention of integration with Facebook.

Game Center allows for live multiplayer games to be played across iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch devices.

Apple says Mountain Lion is the first Mac operating system built with the internet ‘cloud’ in mind, Apple said.

‘More than 100 million users have iCloud accounts, and Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to set up iCloud and access documents across your devices,’

A new security feature called Gatekeeper protects the computer against malicious software by giving the user control over what applications can be installed and downloaded, Apple said.

With AirPlay Mirroring, a Mac user can wirelessly send video from a Mac to an HDTV using Apple TV.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal in an interview that the new Macintosh operating system takes advantage of features popular on the iPad and iPhone.

‘We see that people are in love with a lot of apps and functionality here,’ Cook said of the iPhone. ‘Anywhere where that makes sense, we are going to move that over to Mac.’