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You're the Pundit: What's the killer Mountain Lion feature

by Erica Sadun Feb 20th 2012 at 8:00AM

When it comes to forecasting the next big thing, we turn to our secret weapon: the TUAW braintrust. We put the question to you and let you have your go at it. Today's topic is Mountain Lion.

This week, a developer preview was released and Apple updated its site with a list of upcoming features. They range from an iOS-inspired Notification Center to Game Center support to integrated Twitter.

Which of these is the killer feature that will help define the new platform and set it apart from earlier operating systems?

You tell us. Place your vote in this poll and then join in the comments with all your predictions.

What is the killer feature for OS X Mountain Lion
Better iCloud integration, so my data goes everywhere I do1274 (27.4%)
Reminders so I can manage my day regardless of my Apple platform167 (3.6%)
Game Center because it's long past time for OS X to become "funner"56 (1.2%)
Notification center and built-in Twitter integration, keeping me instantly on top of what's happening in my world592 (12.7%)
Share sheets, so I can share my world out more easily33 (0.7%)
AirPlay screen streaming to Apple TV1402 (30.2%)
Messages, because it takes iChat to the next level581 (12.5%)
Gatekeeper, because consumers will benefit in the long term189 (4.1%)
The cool name. Although they should have gone with "Cougar" or "Melanistic Leopard"152 (3.3%)
Something else. I'll tell you in the comments.202 (4.3%)



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When it comes to forecasting the next big thing, we turn to our secret weapon: the TUAW braintrust. We put the question to you and let you...
 

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David Foster

The 'kIller' feature for me is actually killing Mac OS X. That's Apple keeping non-Mac Store apps from using either iCloud or push notifications. That will keep me from buying or using non-Mac Store Apps and continuing to use plain old Lion for some time going forward (using older Mac's if that's necessary). Hopefully, non-compliant developers will focus on using Dropbox for an iCloud replacement. That's what most of my iOS apps already do (and several very useful Mac apps like 1Password).

I'm afraid that Apple's success is going to its head, and it's now going to start trying to build a monopoly where they aim to control every aspect of the '(i)OS' universe. They intend to accomplish this by limiting access to OS functions, just like a GateKeeper. Their ultimate goal still seems to be the one Steve Jobs always had (but was smart enough to backtrack on many times) and that is to make the computer an appliance (that is you can have it work anyway you want -- as long as it's Apple's way). Remember back to when apps were closed out of the iPhone (I know it's hard to believe Apple once held to such a seemingly insane philosophy)?

Developers - don't fall for this behavior! Boycott the Mac App Store. Use other cloud services to effectively replace or substitute for iCloud. Try to develop bridges or work-arounds to deal with push notifications (maybe Growl's programmers could lend a hand since Apple seems to have scheduled their app for oblivion).

February 26 2012 at 8:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CkVega

Maybe they could add in powerpc emulation, that would be a good feature.

February 23 2012 at 2:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to CkVega's comment
g.rocket

they had that in snow leopard, but they axed it in lion. it was called rosetta

February 29 2012 at 6:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stuart Hurd

New Notes app will be a big improvement for me, I never used notes on the Mac before because it was tucked away in Mail!

February 22 2012 at 10:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark Johnson

Be nice if they focussed their attention on things that matter. Like the way Safari still has a memory leak that eats all available memory.

February 22 2012 at 10:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark Johnson

I don't see anything compelling in the Mountain Lion feature list. Didn't see anything in Lion either. Seems as if Apple is trying to "dumb down" laptops and desktops to the level of tablet computers. Okay for consumers - not so great for developers.

February 22 2012 at 10:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Actionable Mango

AMD Radeon HD 7000 series drivers is about the only thing they could include to entice me away from Snow Leopard, which is currently the best version of OS X.

February 21 2012 at 7:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1TallTXn

All of the "features" are killing it's usefulness in a business environment.
The AppStore is a pain by itself, forcing users to us it is going to make it a no-fly.
Yes, I know, they're not forcing it. Yet.

February 21 2012 at 11:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1TallTXn

All of the "features" are killing it's usefulness in a business environment.
The AppStore is a pain by itself, forcing users to us it is going to make it a no-fly.
Yes, I know, they're not forcing it. Yet.

February 21 2012 at 11:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Proença

I think Gatekeeper is a KILLER feature in many ways, hehehe.

February 21 2012 at 7:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Saeran Maniparathy

It would be nice if they included Airplay streaming from an iOS device to a Mac.
Also, I wonder if Notification Centre is going to put Growl out of business.

February 21 2012 at 4:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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