As expected, Apple today offered up a preview of the latest version of OS X during its Back to the Mac event in Cupertino, CA. In keeping with the big cat theme that has been present in previous versions of the operating system (including, most recently, Snow Leopard), Apple has christened 10.7 Lion.
According to Jobs, the creation of other Apple products played a large role in the development of this latest version. “We’re inspired by innovations in the iPhone and iPad,” Apple’s CEO told the crowd, “and are bringing them back to the Mac.” Included on the list of features is more support for multi-touch gestures and the introduction of Apps for the Mac.
“Multitouch on a laptop doesn’t work,” Jobs told the crowd. “Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical, like on a desktop monitor. After a while, your hands get fatigued.” The answer, Jobs insisted, is the multitouch that the company has brought to its trackpads and mice.
Jobs called the new Mac App Store, “the best place to discover apps,” adding that while, “it won’t be the only place, it’s the best place.” Like its predecessors for the iPhone and iPad, the store will feature both free and paid apps, with 70 percent of the revenue going to app developers. Like the iPad, the Mac will offer a Launchpad for storing apps.
While Lion is due out in summer of next year, Apple isn’t waiting for the update to roll out the Mac App Store. Users with Snow Leopard will be able to install and access the store in 90 days. The company will begin accepting app submissions next month.
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