Mavericks: 10th Major OS X Release, 200+ New Features
OS X 10.9 Mavericks, the 10th major version of Apple’s desktop operating system, has been rolled out to the public. The OS, which comes with more than 200 new features, can be downloaded for free from Apple’s Mac App Store. You can upgrade for free if you’re currently using Snow Leopard, Lion or Mountain Lion.
“Mavericks is an incredible release, which introduces significant new apps and features, while also improving the performance and battery life of your Mac,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We want every Mac user to experience the latest features, the most advanced technologies, and the strongest security. We believe the best way to do this is to begin a new era of personal computing software where OS upgrades are free.”
Apple touted the fact that OS X 10.9 Mavericks comes with more than 200 new features. Here is a quick look at the main features Mavericks has to offer:
Maps
The Maps app that iOS users are so familiar with is now available for the desktop. Advanced mapping technologies, crisp vector graphics, 3D view, interactive Flyover – these are some of the features you can expect to get from the app.
Trips planned with Maps on Maverick can be send to the iPhone. And once on the iPhone, you can enjoy voice navigation while on the road.
iBooks
The same goes for the iBooks app – it too is now available on the desktop. With iBooks on Maverick you have easy access to your existing iBooks library and to the more than 1.8 million titles available in the iBooks Store. Use iBooks to read a book, make notes, highlight passages, and more.
Finder Tags and Finder Tabs
The Tag feature, which is meant for power users, helps you organize and find your files anywhere on your Mac or in iCloud. Easily tag files and easily find them when you need them.
Finder Tabs aims to reduce the clutter by consolidating multiple Finder windows into one window with multiple tabs. Files can be moved between tabs, the view for each tab can be customized, Finder can be run with multiple tabs open in full-screen.
Enhanced Multi-display
Since we’re talking about power users, it must be added that Mavericks enhances support for multiple displays. Windowed or full-screen apps can be run on any display you choose. You can easily do so, you won’t have to go through a complicated configuration process.
Using Apple TV and AirPlay you can turn your HDTV as a second display with OS X 10.0 Mavericks.
Energy Efficiency and Responsiveness
Thanks to new core technologies Mavericks can more efficiently use energy and improves your Mac’s responsiveness. Timer Coalescing ensures the CPU spends more time in low-power state; App Napp reduces the amount of energy apps eat up when they’re not used; Compressed Memory automatically compresses inactive data.
Safari
Mavericks comes with a new version of Safari, version that’s more responsive, more energy efficient, boosts stability and security, and introduces new features such as Shared Links, an easy way to discover, read and share interesting new content from Twitter and LinkedIn.
iCloud Keychain
This is a password manager that securely stores website login information, credit card numbers and Wi-Fi passwords. All this stored info is pushed to all of your devices so you can easily log into websites, connect to password protected Wi-Fi networks, and access credit card info.
Notifications
You don’t need to leave the app you’re using to respond to FaceTime or reply to a message. That’s because Maverick features interactive Notifications.
Additional information on OS X 10.9 Mavericks is available here.
“Mavericks is an incredible release, which introduces significant new apps and features, while also improving the performance and battery life of your Mac,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We want every Mac user to experience the latest features, the most advanced technologies, and the strongest security. We believe the best way to do this is to begin a new era of personal computing software where OS upgrades are free.”
Apple touted the fact that OS X 10.9 Mavericks comes with more than 200 new features. Here is a quick look at the main features Mavericks has to offer:
Maps
The Maps app that iOS users are so familiar with is now available for the desktop. Advanced mapping technologies, crisp vector graphics, 3D view, interactive Flyover – these are some of the features you can expect to get from the app.
Trips planned with Maps on Maverick can be send to the iPhone. And once on the iPhone, you can enjoy voice navigation while on the road.
iBooks
The same goes for the iBooks app – it too is now available on the desktop. With iBooks on Maverick you have easy access to your existing iBooks library and to the more than 1.8 million titles available in the iBooks Store. Use iBooks to read a book, make notes, highlight passages, and more.
Finder Tags and Finder Tabs
The Tag feature, which is meant for power users, helps you organize and find your files anywhere on your Mac or in iCloud. Easily tag files and easily find them when you need them.
Finder Tabs aims to reduce the clutter by consolidating multiple Finder windows into one window with multiple tabs. Files can be moved between tabs, the view for each tab can be customized, Finder can be run with multiple tabs open in full-screen.
Enhanced Multi-display
Since we’re talking about power users, it must be added that Mavericks enhances support for multiple displays. Windowed or full-screen apps can be run on any display you choose. You can easily do so, you won’t have to go through a complicated configuration process.
Using Apple TV and AirPlay you can turn your HDTV as a second display with OS X 10.0 Mavericks.
Energy Efficiency and Responsiveness
Thanks to new core technologies Mavericks can more efficiently use energy and improves your Mac’s responsiveness. Timer Coalescing ensures the CPU spends more time in low-power state; App Napp reduces the amount of energy apps eat up when they’re not used; Compressed Memory automatically compresses inactive data.
Safari
Mavericks comes with a new version of Safari, version that’s more responsive, more energy efficient, boosts stability and security, and introduces new features such as Shared Links, an easy way to discover, read and share interesting new content from Twitter and LinkedIn.
iCloud Keychain
This is a password manager that securely stores website login information, credit card numbers and Wi-Fi passwords. All this stored info is pushed to all of your devices so you can easily log into websites, connect to password protected Wi-Fi networks, and access credit card info.
Notifications
You don’t need to leave the app you’re using to respond to FaceTime or reply to a message. That’s because Maverick features interactive Notifications.
Additional information on OS X 10.9 Mavericks is available here.
