With excellent backup, multiple workspaces, and media viewers and editors, the Mac OS seems a slick and complete operating system. Nevertheless, it looks pretty much the same as it has for years, while Windows 7, with its Aero enhancements has emerged as a radically rethought user interface from Microsoft.
I'm not sure what Apple has up its sleeve for the next version of its desktop OS, which is widely speculated to be named "Lion," as the press invitation featured an image of that great cat. But given Snow Leopard's subtle tune-ups last time around and the king of the jungle as its likely mascot, we're probably looking at some big changes. Here are a few things I'd like to see.
1. All 64-bit. Right now, OS X Snow Leopard is a mixed bag of 64- and 32-bit code, even when you run it on a machine with a 64-bit CPU. In fact, on most current machines, the actual OS kernel runs in 32-bit mode. It would be nice for Apple to find a way to make the whole OS run at 64-bits, without requiring everybody to buy new computers. Of course, this is a lot easier said than done.
2. Blu-ray Support. For years there has been speculation in the tech press about Apple adding Blu-ray support to its computers. The company has resisted Blu-ray all along, even though it was a member of the original board to establish the high-definition video disc standard. Why can't you play a Blu-ray disc on a Mac? And what about burning? iDVD has not changed in three years. Rumors are out that it's being dropped in the next version, which would be a shame for anyone who want to make a disc copy for a friend. Steve Jobs has been a vehement Blu-ray opponent, actually calling it a "bag of hurt," so this wish is an outside shot.
3. FaceTime. It only makes sense that you should be able to do a video chat with an iPhone 4 or iPod touch user while you're on your Mac using Apple's video-calling software.
4. Better Window Management. There's a reason Apple's main desktop operating system competitor is called "Windows." The Mac OS still trails in window management in a few ways. Windows offers Aero Snap, which lets you easily full-screen or fill exactly half of your screen with an app window, Aero Shake, which lets you minimize all windows but the one in which you're working, and Aero Peek, which instantly displays the desktop and Gadgets. Mac windows can only be resized from one corner, while Windows windows can be resized from any edge. Also, the Taskbar makes it much clearer what's actually running, and offers thumbnails showing miniature versions of the full app window. I'd like to see Apple match some of these capabilities.
5. No More Cats. The Lion is king of the jungle, so it would be hard to top. I expect Apple to ditch the wild cat names after this release. It also means that this will be a big release, compared with the subtle transition from Leopard to Snow Leopard.
6. Free Update. You've already paid a premium for that crunchy fruit logo on your computer, why not be entitled to free updates, the way Windows does with Service Packs?
7. Run iOS Apps. I play "Words With Friends" on my iPhone, my friend plays on an iPad, why can't we play from a desktop? If Mac OS could run iOS apps, it would get a big advantage over Windows, and add 250,000 apps to its repertory. A tighter integration, and blurring of the lines between iOS and Mac OS makes sense for the company, giving more legitimacy to its iPad as a full-fledged computer.
8. iLife '11. This is the most likely request. Though you could argue against iLife's being a part of OS X, it's integral enough, and is included when you buy a new Mac. The last version of iLife launched in January 2009, so at 1.5 years later, it's due. More social-networking integration in the suite would make sense, as would making all the apps 64-bit. Better Facebook integration for iPhoto would be good, including the ability to transfer name tags when uploading to that social network. Graphics hardware acceleration for iMovie to speed up rendering would also be nice.