Apple has seeded developers with a new build of OS X Mountain Lion (12C50) to developers this evening. The version contains complete release notes as posted by 9to5Mac, suggesting the release is near complete. Apple is holding a media even on Wednesday where they are likely to detail the new iPhone and iOS 6.
The release notes reveal the following features:
- Single sign on for Facebook
- Facebook as an option when sharing links and photos
- Facebook friends’ contact information and profile pictures in Contacts
- Facebook notifications in Notification CenterGame Center
- Share scores to Facebook, Twitter, Mail, or Messages
- Facebook friends are included in Game Center friend recommendations
- Facebook Like button for games
- Challenge friends to beat your score or achievementOther new features
- Power Nap support for MacBook Air (Late 2010)
- iMessages sent to your phone number now appear in Messages on your Mac
- From Safari and Mail on your Mac you can add passes to Passbook on your iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 6
- New shared Reminders lists
- FaceTime now receives calls sent to your phone number
- New sort options allow you to sort notes by title, the date you edited them, and when you created them
- Dictation now supports Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Korean, Canadian English, Canadian French, and Italian
- The Dictionary application now includes a French definition dictionary
- Sina Weibo profile photos can now be added to ContactsThe 10.8.2 update also includes general operating system fixes that improve the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac, including the following fixes:
- An option to discard the changes in the original document when choosing Save As
- Unsent drafts are opened automatically when launching Mail
- Receive Twitter notifications for mentions and replies from anyone
- URLs are shortened when sending tweets from Notification Center
- Notifications are disabled when AirPlay Mirroring is being used
- SSL support for Google searches from the Smart Search Field in Safari
- New preference to have Safari launch with previously open webpages
One notable feature is the unification of the Apple ID and phone number in OS X Messages. As described by TheVerge:
Now, if someone calls your phone number for Facetime, you'll be able to answer on your Mac or iPad. The same goes for Messages — if you get an iMessage on your phone, it'll be delivered to your Mac and other iOS devices, even if the sender sent the message to your cell phone number and not your Apple ID email.
Apple will likely coordinate the release OS X Mountain Lion alongside iOS 6. We will learn more tomorrow at Apple's media event.
