Apple Inc. on Wednesday showcased the latest version of the operating system runs on its Macintosh computers and launched new model of its ultrathin MacBook Air notebook, in moves to boost the company's Mac business.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveils the company's latest thinner MacBook Air during a news conference at Apple Inc. headquarters in Cupertino, California October 20, 2010. The new MacBook Air -- introduced on Wednesday with Jobs' signature "one last thing" set-up -- is designed to reproduce the versatility of popular devices such as the iPhone and iPad, and will incorporate FaceTime video chats, which Apple is bringing to all its Macs. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
The new Mac operating system, called Mac OS X Lion, will be available in the summer of 2011, Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive officer (CEO), told a press conference held at the company's headquarters.
As the eighth major release of Apple's Mac operating system, Mac OS X Lion includes new features such as App Store, which helps users purchase applications using their iTunes accounts and download and install in just one step, similar to that on the iPad tablet computer launched by Apple earlier this year.
The Mac App Store is expected to be available for Snow Leopard, Apple's current Mac OS X operating system, within 90 days and will be included in Lion when it ships next summer.
Apple also announced that it is adding FaceTime video call feature to its Mac computers. The application, debuted on Apple's iPhone 4, will allow Mac users to video-chat with each other as well as with iPhone 4 and iPod touch users.
"We've sold more than 19 million FaceTime-ready iPhone 4 and iPod touch devices in the past four months, and now those users can make FaceTime calls with tens of millions of Mac users," Apple CEO Jobs said.
VietNamNet/Xinhuanet
