The Hottest Stories...

Snow Leopard to include location-based services, further multi-touch support

Submitted by Visitor on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 22:27

Building on the success of the integrated location-based services in the iPhone, it looks like Apple is getting set to include some similar functionality in its upcoming Snow Leopard OS release. According to Apple Insider, the new operating system will allow software developers to utilize Wi-Fi triangulation to integrate location information into their applications. This could in turn be used to provide a variety of proximity-based information for portable computer users. On the input side, it looks like Snow Leopard will also be gaining further multi-touch support. No word on exactly what this might entail, but given the integration of multi-touch trackpads on the new line of Apple portables, we’re guessing that it might include support for new gestures and/or the ability to interface with external multi-touch input devices. While Snow Leopard is still being billed as more of a maintenance release, these new features should add significant value to the new operating system and provide an extra layer of incentive for those on the fence about upgrading.

Read

Related stories

  • Snow Leopard looking like the OS of choice for Apple’s tablet

    At this point we would be hard-pressed to find anyone who still doubts the impending release of an Apple tablet — or even several Apple tablets — but a little more supporting evidence never hurt anyone. Cult of Mac spent some time compiling a collection of conjecture surrounding Snow Leopard and the variety of new touch-friendly features found within. While none of this is concrete proof of the Apple tablet’s existence, combining these tidbits with the plethora of existing evidence leads us to believe that Snow Leopard will be Apple’s tablet OS of choice rather than the iPhone OS as had been rumored. Starting with the most in-your-face evidence, the OS X soft keyboard has gotten a touch-friendly overhaul. As you can see above, the tiny on-screen keyboard from Leopard has been replaced with an expandable board that should end up being very finger-friendly. To see it for yourself, hit System Preferences > Keyboard and then click on “Show Keyboard & Character Viewer in menu bar”. Now just click on “Show Keyboard Viewer” under the menu bar icon and enjoy. Other UI tweaks, such as a new scrolling layout for dock stacks that features nice big icons just begging to be touched, further support the claim that 10.6 will likely find its way to a tablet in the coming months. So boys and girls, any interest in a $700-$800 Macblet running snow cat?

  • Snow Leopard info goes live on Apple site; pre-order today, delivered Friday

    What better way to start off a work week than to completely ignore all of your responsibilities and order up a new OS for your computer? That’s right ladies and gents; tips came in droves earlier this morning to let us know that the Apple Store went down in the wee hours. Well it’s not yet back in action but Apple’s Mac OS page is up and it now bears info on the OS upgrade Mac users have been clamoring for… OS X 10.6, a.k.a. Snow Leopard. It was due to arrive in September but the final beta was issued way ahead of schedule so Apple apparently decided to launch it early. It’s definitely a smart move if you ask us — allow students to upgrade just before the new semester starts, as opposed to a week or two into their term when the panic finally sets in. Snow Leopard can be pre-ordered now and it will begin shipping this Friday, August 28th. The new OS will run you $29, as we’re sure you recall, and Family Packs run $49.

    Read

  • Snow Leopard 10.6.1 already on the prowl?

    Sure Apple’s latest OS just found its way to market but according to rumor, Cupertino is already hard at work on the first revision. According to AppleInsider, Snow Leopard 10.6.1 was seeded to developers participating in the invitation-only AppleSeed program on September 1st — a mere four days after 10.6 launched. No word yet on what fixes/features 10.6.1 is sporting but there are several reported issues out there that could use some tending to. As to when 10.6.1 might see the light of day, speculation suggests a few weeks at most.

    UPDATE: According to a tip we just got, here’s some of the 10.6.1 release notes:

    “The 10.6.1 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes for:

More iPhone, iPod and iPad News...