New Apple Operating System Aims to Knit Together Its Products
By BRIAN X. CHEN.
With the next version of Apple's OS X operating system for its Mac computers, the company has one clear message: If you're going to buy one Apple product, you might as well keep buying more.
Apple released a preview on Thursday of the software, called Mountain Lion. It introduces several new features that move it closer to iOS, the software running on iPhones and iPads. While Apple is the world's biggest smartphone maker, its share of the PC market is still small, so tying the two together could help it sell more computers.
Mountain Lion includes some apps and features that were previously exclusive to Apple's mobile devices: Messages, Notes, Reminders and Notification Center. And it has a strong focus on iCloud, Apple's online service for storing and synchronizing data between mobile devices and Macs.
When users first start up Mountain Lion, they are asked to enter their iCloud credentials. This way, content like notes, messages and event reminders can be easily shared between multiple Apple devices. For example, if a user jots something down in the Notes app on an iPhone or iPad, that same note will appear in the Notes app in Mountain Lion on a Mac.
Apple's iCloud is one of several new so-called cloud services available from technology companies, including Amazon, Dropbox and Microsoft. Though the details of these services vary among companies, they generally focus on storing files on online servers as opposed to a local hard drive, so that multiple devices can have access to the data over an Internet connection.
Apple is thinking about "a world where the personal cloud is rapidly displacing the personal computer as the center of the consumer's digital life," said Michael Gartenberg, an industry analyst with Gartner.
With the Mountain Lion update, Apple is calling the overall operating system OS X, instead of Mac OS X. This move and the continuing convergence between Macs and iOS devices raises questions about whether one day, the two products will run the same operating system. Mr. Gartenberg said he did not think that would be the case.
"When you try to unify those devices, you end up with weird devices," he said. Apple is creating a similar look and feel for the two operating systems to create a sense of familiarity among its different computing platforms, which could make customers more loyal to the brand, Mr. Gartenberg said.
In other words, the similarities and new features mean that if you own an iPhone, it makes more sense to buy a Mac as opposed to a Windows PC. Or if you own a Mac, you might as well get an iPhone or iPad, as opposed to an Android device.
"Consumers don't like change and they don't like uncertainty," said Stephen Baker, vice president for industry analysis at the NPD Group. "When I, as the consumer, know that I can get a consistent experience across all my devices, it makes it much easier for me to buy products from that company since I know the learning curve will be short."
Apple released the early version of Mountain Lion on Thursday for software makers to get a head start on making apps for the operating system. The official Mountain Lion upgrade is due for release this summer, one year after the release of Mac OS X Lion, Apple's current Mac operating system.
An Apple spokesman said no executives were available to comment.
The annual release schedule for OS X upgrades shows that Apple is still pushing Mac products, even though the iPad and iPhone account for 72 percent of the company's total revenue. But many features in Mountain Lion are already in iOS, so it appears that the Mac is still in the back seat.
"Apple's future is iOS," said Phillip Ryu, chief executive of Impending, a company that makes iPhone apps. "It's obvious OS X is playing catch-up and second fiddle. The Mac is in Apple's future, but it's not the destination."
Take a load off with crowdsourced bathroom locator apps
By Scott Raymond.
Summary: In a hurry? Feeling the pressure build? Don't strain any longer, there are public bathroom locator apps available for Android and iPhone.
How often has this happened to you? You're in an unfamiliar place, and the call of nature hits you unexpectedly. Many stores don't let you use the bathroom, even if you buy something. What if you're not in a mall, or a department store, or near a gas station where facilities are ubiquitous.
Don't feel down in the dumps, because you don't have to dance around the issue any longer. Thanks to your smartphone and a selection of applications, you can relieve yourself of worry. I found several apps that were available on both Android and iPhone platforms. They really help out in a pinch.
First up is Sit or Squat. This app is free for both Android and iPhone, and also has a website. You can find bathrooms by entering a location, or by GPS locator. You can rate the facilities, leave a review, or even add a new location with photos.
Next up is Toilet Finder. Free for both Android and iPhone, it also has Nokia and Windows Phone versions as well. Also a crowd-sourced bathroom locator, it shows the nearest bathrooms on the map, along with distances-which is handy when your speed is reduced by clamping your legs together.
Finally there's Find Toilets, which is free for Android (with ads) and 99 cents for the iPhone version. This one stands out by providing custom directions to the nearest facility. With GPS, it also provides latitude and longitude, which is quite handy if you need to nuke the site from orbit after that burrito.
And if you need to keep yourself occupied while you're taking care of business, you can grab these games for your phone: Drag Toilet Paper for Android and iDrag Paper for iPhone.
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