14 DAY TRIAL // Launched in tandem with iOS 6, OS X 10.8.2 is now available to the general population as the second maintenance and security update for Apple’s Mountain Lion operating system.
Cupertino says the 10.8.2 update is recommended for all Mountain Lion users, as it includes new features and fixes.
We’ve already covered pretty much the entire set of new features slated for this update, but many users are not interested in beta releases. So here we go again.
Facebook integration is now live in OS X Mountain Lion, offering single sign-on, the ability to share links and photos from anywhere you are in the OS, friends' contact information and profile pictures in Contacts, and alerts in Notification Center.
Game Center now puts scores on Facebook, Twitter, Mail, or Messages, and includes Facebook friends in Game Center friend recommendations, a Like button for games, and the chance to challenge friends to beat your score or achievements.
Users also get Power Nap support for older MacBook Air models (late 2010); number-based iMessages and FaceTime calls on OS X; the ability to add passes to Passbook on your iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 6 from Safari and Mail on the Mac; shared Reminders lists; new sort options for notes; new languages for Dictation; Dictionary updates; and Sina Weibo profile photos in Contacts.
Some general operating system fixes are also included to "improve the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac,” Apple says.
Listed below, these are just some of the most noteworthy under-the-hood additions that the release notes mention.
- An option to discard the changes in the original document when choosing Save As - Unsent drafts are opened automatically when launching Mail - Receive Twitter notifications for mentions and replies from anyone - URLs are shortened when sending tweets from Notification Center - Notifications are disabled when AirPlay Mirroring is being used - SSL support for Google searches from the Smart Search Field in Safari - New preference to have Safari launch with previously open webpages
There’s also a security side to OS X 10.8.2, which we’ll document later today.