14 DAY TRIAL // As promised, Apple used WWDC 2011 to showcase the final version of OS X Lion, the company’s latest version of the Mac operating system, confirming availability in July with an attractive upgrade price.
Mac OS X Lion is the eighth major release of what Apple calls “the world’s most advanced operating system.”
Building on previous Mac OS X releases, such as Leopard and Snow Leopard, Lion brings more than 250 new features on its own, and has 3,000 new developer APIs (application programming interface), its makers confirmed during yesterday's show.
Apple highlighted some of the key features in Lion including new Multi-Touch gestures; system-wide support for full screen apps; Mission Control, the built-in Mac App Store; Launchpad; AirDrop; the completely redesigned Mail application, and more.
“The Mac has outpaced the PC industry every quarter for five years running and with OS X Lion we plan to keep extending our lead,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
“The best version of OS X yet, Lion is packed with innovative features such as new Multi-Touch gestures, system-wide support for full screen apps, and Mission Control for instantly accessing everything running on your Mac,” Schiller added.
Apple confirmed that Lion will be available to the general population in July as a 4GB download from the Mac App Store priced at $29.99.
$29.99 is an upgrade price since the customer must have the Mac App Store installed, therefore must be running Snow Leopard. Standalone copies will be distributed as well for $79.99.
Apple confirmed that customers looking to install OS X Lion in July will require an Intel-based Mac with a Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor and 2GB of RAM.
“The Lion upgrade can be installed on all your authorized personal Macs,” Apple added.
Apple also announced a Mac OS X Lion Up-To-Date upgrade program for customers who purchased a qualifying Mac from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after June 6, 2011. These customers will be eligible for a free upgrade to Lion.
This is the Mac OS X Lion announcement video: