This summer Apple will release a new version of OS X, code-named Mountain Lion. The OS has a number of improvements including upgraded versions of iCal (soon to be called Calendar), Address Book and the Mail app.
Mountain Lion includes a number of features that were formerly found only on the iPhone and iPad, including a unique Notifications system as well as a new integrated sharing system for sending a Twitter message with one click. The upgrade looks to be quite compelling, but if you can’t wait for the big cat, here’s how to get some Mountain Lion functionality on your current machine.
Notifications Growl has long been the gold standard for OS X notification systems and it works with nearly every app, including Mail and apps like Skype. Growl displays short messages on the screen when something important happens — say when a new message comes in or an app needs attention — and could go the way of the Dodo when Mountain Lion appears. Enjoy it while you can.
Twitter Integration/Page Sharing Mountain Lion makes it easy to share nearly everything on Twitter. But if you want to send data to other social networks, try something like AddThis to share what you’re reading with Twitter, Facebook and Digg through your Chrome browser. It’s not quite one click, but it works.
Messages Although there is no third-party app that can send and receive messages using the iPhone’s special text message service, there are apps that can replicate some of Messages’ functionality. If you can’t wait to try Messages, you can download it now from Apple or you can keep the old standby, Adium, on your desktop until you’re ready to upgrade.
Reminders People familiar with the iPhone’s reminders app will note that OS X is getting its own version of this fairly useful tool. However, if you want a simpler, Web-based version of this, you can replicate Reminders with a service like RememberTheMilk, an app for synchronizing to-do lists. You can use the service to sync To-Dos with with multiple people or just sync between your different computers and devices.
Although Mountain Lion features plenty of under-the-hood changes, these apps will help ease your transition into Apple’s latest operating system.
Of course, deep integration with your computers and devices is what Apple is hoping will lead people to ditch these third-party apps and move ever closer into Cupertino’s embrace.