Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • Cloud
    • Networking
    • PC Hardware

    OS X Mountain Lion Goes on Sale: 10 Things You Should Know About It

    Written by

    Don Reisinger
    Published July 25, 2012
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Apple’s OS X Mountain Lion is finally available after months of anticipation. Now, those who have been chomping at the bit to get their hands on the software will finally be able to do so. And for those who aren’t sure, they might be able to take the software for a spin to find out if it’s something they really need. Judging by reviews of the operating system, however, it appears to be a platform consumers and enterprise users can get behind.

      Determining why it might be a good idea to use Mountain Lion, however, isn’t so easy at first glance. After all, the software has much the same look and feel as its predecessor, Lion. By all measures, Mountain Lion is an iterative update, not a major upgrade.

      But that’s just fine. Mountain Lion is a respectable operating system with a lot going for it. And it’s important that consumers and enterprise users know the finer points about the operating system before shelling out even the modest $19.99 fee to buy the upgrade.

      Read on to find out what everyone should know about OS X Mountain Lion before they download it:

      1. It’s available exclusively in the Mac App Store

      Apple has once again followed an all-digital strategy with Mountain Lion, making it available exclusively through its Mac App Store. In other words, say goodbye to the physical media. One note: If you buy a new Mac from here on out, Mountain Lion will, of course, come bundled in the computer.

      2. June 11 is the start date for free upgrades

      One of the nice things about Apple’s Mountain Lion launch is that customers who bought Lion or Macs loaded with the earlier Lion operating system on or after June 11 will be eligible to receive Mountain Lion for free. Everyone before that, however, will need to pay the $19.99 fee required to download it.

      3. Better security

      Arguably the best addition to Mountain Lion is an improved security feature called Gatekeeper. The offering will control what programs can be downloaded onto the operating system, which, according to Apple, will go a long way in protecting against malware.

      4. Say hello to Notification Center

      Apple has made it clear that it wants to integrate iOS-like features into OS X wherever possible. In doing so, the company has brought Notification Center to the operating system. Notification Center will alert users to emails, instant messages and much more. It should come in quite handy.

      Apple Expands the iMessage Community With Mountain Lion

      5. iMessage is now present

      When Apple brought iMessage to its mobile products, the company said that it would transform how people communicate with each other over text. With iMessage now in Mountain Lion, users can not only text other iOS users, but can also communicate with OS X device owners. Not bad.

      6. AirPlay Mirroring is perfect for meetings

      Enterprise customers will be happy to hear that Mountain Lion supports Apple’s AirPlay Mirroring. With that technology, users will be able to share their Mac screens on an HDTV. However, in order for the technology to work, users will need an Apple TV. Luckily they only cost $99.

      7. It makes no sense to wait

      When it’s all said and done, what’s the point of waiting for Mountain Lion? The operating system is what Apple will be installing in all future Macs, and the platform will receive the best support over the long term. Why not use it, knowing that it’s better than Lion?

      8. Look for Facebook in the fall

      Apple has touted Facebook integration in Mountain Lion. The feature will allow users to post updates and check for user timeline changes from within the operating system. As nice as the feature sounds, it’s worth noting that it won’t be made available until the fall.

      9. Pricing is everything

      If nothing else, Apple has turned the operating system market on its head. First, the company started offering its software digitally. Now, it’s charging just $19.99 for the software update. Pricing is everything in the operating system market. The low upgrade price is sure to keep Mac users happy and loyal and may persuade more people to buy Macs.

      10. It could mark a change in Apple’s release schedule

      Over the last several years, Apple has launched updates to its operating system every two years. With Mountain Lion, however, the company updated its software just a year after Lion’s launch. Does this mean Apple could be following a new release schedule? It’s certainly possible.

      Follow Don Reisinger on Twitter by clicking here

      Don Reisinger
      Don Reisinger
      Don Reisinger is a longtime content writer to several technology and business publications. Over his career, Don has written about everything from geek-friendly gadgetry to issues of privacy and data security. He became an eWEEK writer in 2009 producing slide shows focusing on the top news stories of the day. When he's not writing, Don is typically found fixing computers or playing an old-school video game.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.