Mountain Lion

Mountain Lion( OS X 10.8) is a version of Apple 's Mac OS X operating system for the Macintosh. Mountain Lion followed the predecessor Mac OS X Lion and offers 100 new features, according to the manufacturer. The beta version came in February 2012, the market maturity in the summer of 2012. If the predecessor was still available online or on a USB stick, Mountain Lion is now only distributed as a download.

Functions from iPhone OS

Like its predecessor, Mountain Lion has adopted a number of functionalities from Apple's iPhone OSoperating system for the iPhone and iPad. A much more intensive connection to Apple's iCloud synchronizes individual files, apps and software updates to multiple end devices of the user. The new "Reminders" and "Notes" features for personal organization are also synchronized via iCloud.

Incoming mails, software updates or calendar messages are combined in the new message center. With the new iMessage, which replaces iChat, messages, photos or videos can be sent to all devices with iOS.

On individual Macintosh models, Power Nap backs up and synchronizes mail, contacts, and the photo stream even when the device is idle. If a Macintosh is connected to the mains, software updates are also loaded and data files are automatically backed up to an external storage medium using Time Machine. A Macintosh's monitor image can be streamed to an HD TV using AirPlay Mirroring, for example, with videos or websites for training or conferencing.

New features also include a dictation function and the Gatekeeper background service for monitoring software from external sources. The dictation function converts spoken words into text and works with the Macintosh's built-in microphone. Integration with the user's contact list should output their names correctly. At the official market release of Mountain Lion in summer 2012, the dictation function worked in English, German, French and Japanese.

As of fall 2012, the social networksFacebook and Twitter will also be supported. Existing contacts and their pictures are automatically added to a user's contacts and their messages appear in the message center.

Apple's Safariweb browser has a new search function for Mountain Lion and synchronizes open websites with the user's iOS end devices. Tabs, history and bookmarks are aligned and synced via iCloud. RSS feeds are no longer supported in the new version of Safari, as well as in Mountain Lion's mail client.

After Apple has already parted with Java and Flash, X11. app will also be replaced as part of the X-Window system for Apple Mac OS X. In order to start x11-based applications, the further development XQuartz is required from Mountain Lion onwards.