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Apple Mac OS X Lion available now in the App Store
For 'developers' willing to shell out $99 for an annual membership in Apple's group of Mac OS app creators, Lion is old news already. But the rest of you can finally download Apple's latest operating system -- Mac OS 10.7 -- by hitting up the App Store on your Snow Leopard (10.6.8)-equipped Mac, assuming it's powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, i5 or i7 processor. From our experience with the pre-release version, the 4GB download could take over an hour, even on a high-speed connection, but once you have the installer in hand the upgrade process itself should be complete in about 20 minutes. As Apple previously announced, those with slower connections can also download Lion at an Apple retail store, and the company's also now revealed that it will be offering it on a USB thumb drive as well, which will be available through its online store later this August for $69 (yes, that's a $40 premium). We'll be posting a full review of Lion later this week, but you can check out our hands-on preview for a sneak peek at Apple's latest consumer OS in the meantime.
Apple: Mac OS X Lion to hit the App Store tomorrow
Well it looks like the cat's finally out of the bag virtual box. Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer just confirmed during today's earnings call that Mac OS 10.7 is due to hit the Mac App Store tomorrow, making Lion available as a 4GB download for $30. The new operating system packs 250 new features, including an iOS-like app launcher, multi-touch gestures, AirDrop for direct file sharing, and system-wide Resume. More enhancements that will feel particularly familiar to iOS users include a new version of Mail with conversation view, and reverse touchpad scrolling. We'll have a full review of Lion later this week, but check out our hands-on preview for our initial impressions. Want to collaborate on projects with multiple machines? Lion Server will also be available as a $50 download -- for those of you that need to support an entire pride.
Apple outlines Lion upgrade path for business and education customers
While Apple announced on June 6 that consumers would be able to purchase and download Mac OS X Lion from the Mac App Store in July, there was no word on how businesses or schools would purchase and deploy the next-generation operating system. An Apple Sales Web document released today is clearing up the confusion, with details on licensing and deployment. Starting when Lion is actually released, business customers can purchase Lion and Lion Server from Apple by calling 1-800-854-3680 or by entering the Business Store at http://store.apple.com. Volume license contracts are $29.99 per license with a minimum purchase requirement of 20 licenses. Maintenance contracts, which ensure that the next version of OS X is available at no cost, are available for $49.99, once again with a minimum purchase of 20 licenses. Education customers will contact their Apple Education Account Representatives or buy through the Education Store. Schools get Lion as part of the Apple Software Collection -- Mac OS, iLife, and iWork -- with prices starting at $39 per license for a minimum order quantity of 25 licenses. Existing Volume License, Maintenance, and Apple Education Licensing Program customers will receive one redemption code for each contract that can be used to download Lion from the Mac App Store. That single copy of the Install Mac OS X Lion application is used to install Lion on other Mac systems at the school or business. Once the install app has been downloaded, administrators just copy it to the target systems and run the installer. Administrators can use the System Image Utility in OS X Lion Server to build NetInstall (link to PDF) or NetRestore images to assist in performing mass deployments. Through the OS X Lion Up-to-Date program, customers who purchased a Mac from Apple or an authorized reseller on or after June 6 will get the operating system for free. The Up-to-Date upgrade must be requested within 30 days of the official Lion release date, whenever that may be. TUAW readers who are business or education customers and have additional questions should contact their Apple account representatives for further details.
Apple appears to be dropping AirPort branding for Wi-Fi
Since 1999, when Steve Jobs introduced the iBook as the first portable computer with Wi-Fi capabilities, Apple has used the term AirPort to refer to 802.11 wireless connectivity. The rest of the world knows this technology by the name Wi-Fi, and it appears that with the upcoming release of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, Apple will be changing references to wireless networking from "AirPort" to "Wi-Fi" across the system. The change resolves a common issue for Mac neophytes, who often search in vain for Wi-Fi controls on their new Macs only to find something confusingly called AirPort. The name change may also explain recent reports that Apple's networking products -- the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule -- are in short supply at some Apple Stores. Perhaps a Wi-Fi product refresh and a change in branding will both accompany the Lion launch next month. Will you miss the AirPort name on Apple products if it does disappear, or do you think it was a confusing proprietary moniker? Leave your comments below.
Buy a new Mac now, upgrade to Lion for free
Apple's Mac OS X Lion press release reveals that those who purchase a new Mac on or after June 6, 2011 will be able to receive a free copy of Mac OS X Lion. Apple's Up-To-Date program typically lets customers who buy new Macs within a certain time frame update to the latest OS at a reduced cost, typically US$9.95 for a disc. It appears Apple is eliminating the fee entirely with Lion. From the press release: "The Mac OS X Lion Up-To-Date upgrade is available at no additional charge via the Mac App Store to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after June 6, 2011. Users must request their Up-To-Date upgrade within 30 days of purchase of their Mac computer. Customers who purchase a qualifying Mac between June 6, 2011 and the date when Lion is available in the Mac App Store will have 30 days from Lions official release date to make a request." That's good news for anyone who's in the market for a new Mac and either can't (or doesn't want to) wait until Lion is released to make a purchase. [Via MacRumors]
Lion requirements: 64-bit CPU, 2 GB of RAM
As expected, Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will require an Intel Core 2 Duo processor (or better, such as the i3/5/7 series or Xeon chips) and 2 GB of RAM for a compliant install when it ships this summer. This is consistent with the requirements from earlier builds of the OS. Judging by our Twitter inquiries, however, there is a good bit of confusion over the difference between "Core 2 Duo" (which is supported) and "Core Duo" (which is not). Here's the simple rule: Did you purchase your Mac (new) after December 2007 2006? It's probably OK for Lion, although it might need more RAM. Core 2 Duo processors have been used in the Mac line since late 2006, and powered most consumer Macs prior to the introduction of the Core 'i' MacBook Pro models last year (except for the Xeon and successor CPUs in the Mac Pro and XServe). Core Duo and Core Solo chips, on the other hand, were only used in the first-generation Intel Macs (MacBook/MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini), and were not used at all after 2006. Even the low-power first generation MacBook Air from 2008 used a Core 2 Duo, and all MacBook Air models shipped with at least 2 GB of RAM. Hope that helps! We'll have more details on "what Mac owners need to know about Lion" later today.
Apple site updated with exciting news from the WWDC keynote
The Apple website has been updated to show all of the wonderful new features that we'll be seeing in the next few months. iOS 5 "in the fall," Mac OS X 10.7 Lion "in July," and iCloud "concurrently with iOS 5." Each of the major images on the home page points to a new landing page. For iCloud, you see a full explanation of the service and how it's going to rock your world. The Mac OS X 10.7 Lion page touts the $29.99 price tag for all of the computers in your house, while the iOS 5 page describes all of the new features. It's worth browsing these pages to pick up details. What's your favorite feature so far? Tell us in the comments.
Mac OS X Lion server to come as a paid for downloadable app?
According to Hardmac, Mac OS X Lion server will come as a paid-for downloadable app from the Mac App Store. One of Hardmac's French readers (Blaise) inadvertently stumbled across this help window when typing "install server" in the help menu of a beta build of Apple's newest, soon-to-be-released version of Mac OS X, Lion. The help window states, "If this Mac isn't a server, you can make it one by installing the server app." It then goes on to detail the process of installing the app and creating an administrator account. The help menu ends with, "The Server app downloads the Server Essentials software package, installs it, and configures this Mac as a server." However, as we've noted previously, Apple's own Lion marketing webpage states that "Lion Server is now part of Mac OS X Lion." It reads, "It's easy to set up your Mac as a server and take advantage of the many services Lion Server has to offer." Being that Apple currently charges US$499 for its Snow Leopard server package, it's conceivable that Apple may charge something extra to flip Lion's server switch via the Mac App Store. But we're unconvinced. Mac OS X Lion, alongside iCloud and iOS 5, is scheduled to be introduced on June 6th by Steve Jobs at Apple's World Wide Developer's Conference. [Via 9to5Mac]
Apple invites Australian journalists to WWDC keynote
More evidence points to something big happening at WWDC 2011, as Apple has reportedly invited Australian journalists to the June 6 keynote. iTechReport.com.au referenced a tweet from Australian technology editor Charlie Brown which mentioned his invitation to the WWDC keynote. Brown wrote: "I think something big will be announced on June 6th in San Fran by #Apple. I have just been invited to attend the event." Interestingly, that tweet has since been deleted. Earlier this week, Apple reportedly extended invitations to UK journalists as well. Remember that this is a developer's conference, not a consumer trade show, so don't get your heart set on goodies. However, a little birdie has told us that Mac OS X Lion has begun internal testing at Apple, and could possibly be ready for WWDC.
Dashboard: Irrelevant in the age of iOS or gaining new life in Lion?
The blogging crew here at TUAW headquarters frequently gets inspiration from emails that we receive from developers and hardware manufacturers. As a perfect example, the inbox the other morning contained some information about an upcoming iOS app that syncs to a Dashboard widget. Fellow blogger Erica Sadun said she wouldn't touch the app, since "Dashboard causes me to break out in hives," and Kelly Guimont asked "does anyone use the Dashboard for anything?" That got a lively discussion going on behind the scenes about whether or not Dashboard is even relevant anymore. As an Apple consultant, I can't tell you how many times I've been asked the question "What's that little speedometer icon for?" by new Mac owners who were afraid to click the Dashboard icon in the Dock. When I've shown those clients what Dashboard is all about, they seem underwhelmed. For me, I haven't used Dashboard since I set up my 27" iMac last year. Kelly mentioned that she has a delivery tracker and the Apple Remote Desktop widget installed, but that she "has yet to use" the latter. Most of the blogging team echoed those sentiments.
QuickPick update in limbo for Lion similarities
On Wednesday, QuickPick 2.0.3 was apparently ejected from the Mac App Store, according to a tweet from developer Seth Willits. A day later, Seth tweeted that the app is still in the store -- as of this writing that's the case -- but update 2.0.3 had been rejected, increasing his confusion. Additionally, he mentions that an Apple rep told him that QuickPick would be "removed from sale," citing a "confusingly similar" argument. For now, the app is in limbo. QuickPick is a full-screen application and document launcher which offers several features reportedly missing from Apple's app launcher -- as it exists today at least. For example, the app's dedicated preferences can set a global keyboard command or hot corner for activation, while users can identify their own most frequently used items to display and leave icons "scrambled" on screen to suit their own organizational style or lack thereof. Most importantly, QuickPick runs on Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Apple may perceive the app as direct competition to Launchpad, one of Lion's most highly touted new features. If users see low-cost alternatives to a potentially costly Mac OS X upgrade, they may be dissuaded from spending the time and money to make the leap to Lion when it arrives this summer (though one feature vs. all of Lion's improvements decreases this likelihood). Perhaps Apple is simply rejecting the app to prevent confusion in their own marketplace; an argument Willits isn't buying. "QuickPick existed years before Launchpad...[Version] 2.0.2 isn't any different than 2.0.3." Willits continues to plead his case with Apple. In the meantime, for US$10, QuickPick 2.0.2 is still available on the Mac App Store and version 2.0.3 is available through the Araelium Group website. [via MacNN]
Apple to drop Samba networking tools from Lion
Changes to its licensing may lead Samba, an open source suite of tools for networking with Windows systems, to be chopped from Mac OS X Lion, according to a report from AppleInsider. Instead, Apple will develop its own solutions for interacting with neighboring Windows systems over a network. Samba's primary goal is to improve interoperability between PCs with Microsoft Windows and computers running other operating systems. Notably, the software enables UNIX-based systems like Mac OS X to speak the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol that Windows uses for file sharing and network directory services. Apple began integrating Samba into its operating systems in 2002 with the release of Mac OS X v10.2 "Jaguar." With Samba, Mac OS X's ability to interact with Windows has grown over the last several years, evolving from everyday file sharing between co-workers into Mac servers capable of hosting account profiles and entire home directories for Windows users to access from their networked PCs. As Mac OS X adopted more of Samba's tools, the team behind Samba gradually transformed the open source licensing for its software. The latest version of Samba is offered only with General Public License Version 3 (GPLv3) licensing, which includes restrictions that essentially prevent Apple from incorporating it into commercially packaged software like Mac OS X. Although Samba has been voted off Lion island, it's unlikely Apple will entirely drop support for Windows networking technologies. Apple is reportedly hard at work building a new suite of built-in tools that will allow Mac OS X Lion to continue dancing with Windows networks. Unlike Samba, however, Lion's networking tools will likely end support for NT domains, networking technology introduced by Microsoft in the late 1990s. Although some networks still rely on NT Domain Controller configurations, even Microsoft ended support for the aging technology with Windows 7. On the bright side, Apple will no longer by trapped by the limitations of Samba. For example, the version of Samba currently bundled with Mac OS X can run into issues with PCs running Windows 7 that are set to Microsoft's most secure options for file sharing. Apple now has the opportunity to address this shortcoming and perhaps introduce its own innovative improvements to networking between future versions of Mac OS X and Windows. For now, it's possible (and likely) the first version of Apple's tools for integrating with Windows networking technologies will face a few initial setbacks and limitations. In this event, Samba can potentially still be added to Mac OS X Lion by tech-savvy Mac users who can survive without a simple installer, graphical user interface and tight integration with the rest of Apple's software. Or Mac users who need Samba's toolset can hope an enterprising developer builds a compelling, easy-to-use Samba package before Mac OS X Lion ships this summer. [via CNET] Updated to note that Mac OS X can work with Win 7 sharing if security options are changed.
New Wi-Fi Diagnostics tool a part of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
When Mac OS X 10.7 Lion leaps onto our Macs later this year, Apple's support specialists will have a new tool to use to troubleshoot those pesky Wi-Fi problems. AppleInsider reports that a new Wi-Fi Diagnostics tool can be found in Lion's /System/Library/CoreServices folder, along with a number of other utilities and apps that are part of Mac OS X. To launch the tool in the developer beta of Lion, users Option-Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the Menu Bar, then select the Open Wi-Fi Diagnostics item from the menu. The tool provides four major functions: Monitor Performance, Record Events, Capture Raw Frames or Turn on Debug Logs. Monitor Performance captures detailed signal and noise data over time, and the captured info can be sent to Apple for troubleshooting. Other diagnostics options will log specific events, or can capture raw data to a temporary .pcap (packet capture) file, which can also be uploaded for the benefit of Apple support professionals. Another change discovered by AppleInsider is the addition of network configuration profiles that can be produced and delivered by network administrators. This is another iOS feature that is migrating to Mac OS X, since Apple had previously created config profiles so that admins could roll out settings and updates to iOS users. Lion Server uses the same infrastructure to deliver network config files for automating Mac management.
Mac OS X Lion offers high-quality, multilingual voices
Since the developer preview release of Mac OS X Lion, we've been able to see in action some of the exciting new features to expect from Apple's new, forthcoming operating system. Today, we've got even more exciting news to share. AppleInsider is reporting that Mac OS X Lion will feature 53 new high-quality voices with over 40 different dialects to boot. From about a third to over half a gigabyte each in size, the voices sound more human than ever (things have come along way since the early Mac voice from the late 1980s or even Victoria from the 90s), even old Alex from Mac OS X Leopard is put to shame by the new crowd: including American English speaking Jill, Samantha and Tom, Australian English Karen and Lee and the rather British English speaking Daniel, Emily and Serena. There's even a South African English speaking Tessa. But it's not only English that Mac OS X Lion will be speaking, the new OS will be able to speak Chinese, Saudi Arabian Arabic, French, Italian, Polish and Turkish to name a few, too. It's reported that the voices will be available for download directly from Apple, so your Mac only speaks the languages you want and need it to. Click here to listen to some samples provied by AppleInsider
Mac OS X Lion hands-on preview
Apple announced Mac OS X Lion with considerable fanfare at its Back to the Mac event last October, and now it's dropped the first developer preview on the world -- giving us a chance to sample some of the big cat's new features and UI concepts. We installed the dev build on one of our MacBook Pros and used it over the weekend, and while we won't be able to see any huge changes in day-to-day workflow until our favorite apps are updated to take advantage of Lion, we did see plenty of interesting system-level features and additions -- and yes, iOS's influence is all over the place. Read on for a full breakdown of what's new! %Gallery-117806%
Mac OS X Lion has TRIM support for SSDs, HiDPI resolutions for improved pixel density?
As you'd expect, developers have wasted no time in tearing apart the Mac OS X Lion preview, and in so doing they've allegedly discovered some intriguing things -- namely, support for the SSD-wiping TRIM command, and a series of high-DPI display modes which would allow for icons and UI elements with twice the graphical detail -- which could mean a PC-sized Retina Display. The former doesn't sound like the most exciting upgrade, but it's truly a boon for Mac users with solid state storage, as TRIM can greatly improve write speeds in compatible drives. As far as the improved pixel density rumors are concerned, it's not clear whether Apple's actually looking at doubling display resolutions in new computers (9to5Mac imagines a 15-inch MacBook Pro with a 2880 x 1800 screen) or whether Apple's simply moving to maintain icons that are precisely the same physical size across all its displays -- which would make fantastic sense for a touchscreen UI, by the way.
Dear Aunt TUAW: How do I install a Lion partition on my MacBook Air?
Dear Aunt TUAW, I'm in the Mac Developer program and I'd really like to be able to install Lion on my MacBook Air as a second OS. What are the best strategies to do this? Is it worth going out and buying a second SSD drive and swapping that out with my primary Snow Leopard system? Thanks for letting me know! Love and Kisses, Your nephew G
Rumor: Mac OS X Lion to have UI overhaul, developers to see beta build soon?
Since Apple's official announcement of Mac OS Lion last October, there's not been so much as a peep, let alone a roar, on the new operating system. We know to expect Lion at some point this summer, but as summer fast approaches, all we know about Lion is what Apple has told us (full-screen apps, Launchpad and Mission Control). However, TechCrunch is reporting it's got wind of a few OS X Lion tidbits. First, they claim that OS X Lion will have a major user interface overhaul. With Apple already introducing Launchpad, Mission Control and full-screen apps as key features of Lion -- all user interface related -- as well as saying its bringing the best of iOS to the Mac, it's not too far a stretch to expect we'll see some further significant changes to the new version of OS X. Unfortunately, that's all TechCrunch has got to say on the matter. Second, in light of the above, TechCrunch says, "we're hearing that a developer beta [of Lion] should begin soon." With summer about four months away, developers will need time to prepare for the new UI features. While there's not much to corroborate this claim, MacRumors reports they've heard "...whispers that Lion may begin seeding soon," too. [Via MacRumors]
Switched On: The iPadification of Mac OS
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. The title of Apple's recent Back to the Mac event turned out to have multiple meanings. The first was heralding a shift of Apple's event focus to the product that was once synonymous with the company. But it also had a more literal connotation, that traits associated both with iPad software and hardware would now be finding their way back to the Apple's computers. But the impact of this round trip could have different implications for hardware and software. Apple's new MacBook Air was cited as taking on traits associated with the iPad such as thinness, flash storage, longer battery life, and instant on. The new MacBook Air also dispenses with an optical drive, but so did the previous MacBook Air, and indeed so do nearly all netbooks and quite a few other "thin and light" notebook PCs. Most would agree that the new hardware choices produce desirable traits in an ultramobile notebook.
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion announced, coming summer 2011
As promised, Apple today offered a preview of Mac OS X 10.7, a.k.a "Lion," which Steve Jobs says has been inspired by the company's efforts with iOS. That inspiration has resulted in an expanded use of multitouch gestures (but not on a vertical screen), an emphasis on iPad-like full screen applications, and -- here's the big one -- an App Store for OS X (which will also be coming to Snow Leopard). Also new is the Launchpad application launcher, which will give you an iPad-like grid of icons and let you create iOS-style folders for applications, and the all-new Mission Control, which offers a unified view of all your open windows, open apps, and your dock. No exact launch date just yet, but Apple says Lion will roll out sometime in the summer of 2011 -- head on past the break for the full press release. %Gallery-105532%