Tag: Ichat »

Apple shocked the world today by announcing a brand-new operating system for desktop devices, less than a year after the launch of OS X Lion. Codenamed Mountain Lion, the latest update further blurs the line between home computers and tablets, bringing a host of features that make your MacBook or iMac run more like an iPad. Here's a rundown of some of the major additions and how they work.

Messages - Built to replace the current iChat system, the Messages app seamlessly integrates with iMessage, allowing users to chat across platforms. If you're at work but want to get a message out to a loved one's iPhone all you have to do is pop into Messages and start typing. The service is free and supports text, photos and even high-def video sharing.

Reminders - Create and organize tasks and to-do lists on your computer, then push them out to all your devices via iCloud. Need to run a bunch of errands this weekend? Reminders has you covered.

Notification Center - Another iOS concept ported over to the Mac, Notification Center groups all your alerts in one place to easily view and/or dismiss at your convenience. No more alerts popping up all over the screen, now things are contained to one place off to the side, minimizing interruption.

Game Center - You know it, you love it, it's here. Any questions?

For those who can't get enough, Apple has also released the following video showcasing all the cool new features present in OS X Mountain Lion:

While no price has yet been announced Apple expects to launch Mountain Lion this summer. Furthermore, developers can sign up for access right now and begin tinkering with this new, iOS inspired operating system. Apple has long been the company most devoted to making the desktop and mobile experience as analogous as possible, and things seem to be going to a whole new level with Mountain Lion. In the immortal words of Philip J. Fry, "Shut up and take my money!"

Some people have the insatiable urge to pick up and video chat with a complete stranger. If you are one of these people, the loss of iChatr in the App Store was certainly a big blow to your ego. Fortunately, Dirty Birds Interactive has created a new app that will put random people on your screen, but this time it may be ok with Apple.

Chatisfication works like a large chat room, pairing you up with different people that have the same "need" for a FaceTime conversation. Unfortunately, due to the artwork for the app, I think the needs will become more and more conspicuous as the app gets popular (if it ever gets popular in the first place, the artwork is particularly bad).

"No matter what you are looking for, Chatisfaction has it. If you are looking for a chat with someone in your local area, someone with similar interests, or just testing out your new video enabled iPhone, Chatisfaction provides the gateway for you."

Now go. Have fun talking to strangers... just don't be too surprised if someone shows you something you don't want to see.

[Source: Recombu]

Apple has scheduled an event Tuesday. The main purpose of that event is to launch new iPod Nano and Touch models. But it's also expected that iTunes 8 will be released with features like a Pandora-like Genius, new visualization, and grid view.

But more importantly iPhone OS 2.1 should also be released to coincide with the expected release of the notification service scheduled to be released in September. With the iPhone OS 2.1 and notification service I would expect to see Apple release a mobile version of iChat. Or at least I would hope to see it. This was rumored from the start for the 2.0 release but it seems that the notification service was not ready for that release in July.

We'll see what Steve has in store for us Tuesday.