OS X 10.9 to feature Siri and Maps integration?
Having already introduced a number of iOS features to the Mac with OS X 10.7 Lion and 10.8 Mountain Lion, Apple looks set to continue the trend with its next-generation desktop operating system. According to a report published earlier today by 9to5Mac, OS X 10.9 could feature both Siri and Maps integration.
Early builds in testing of the next-generation Mac operating system, OS X 10.9, point to Siri and Maps integration coming to Mac computers next year, according to our reliable sources.
These sources say that early builds of OS X 10.9 integrate Apple’s Siri voice command software much like Apple’s newest iPad models running iOS 6.
Launched with the iPhone 4S, Siri is only available on newer iOS devices, and 9to5Mac speculates that Apple could choose to do the same with the Mac version. However, the site also notes that OS X Mountain Lion introduced Siri-based Dictation – and that particular feature is available to all Macs capable of running the OS.
With regards to the integration of its much-derided mapping service, 9to5Mac’s sources claim that Apple is intending to make it available as a framework, and allow developers to embed maps into their own Mac Apps. Whether or not Apple will also choose to include a dedicated Maps App remains unknown.
Last year, Apple previewed OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion in February, and released it to the public in July. If the company follows a similar pattern next year we shouldn’t have too long to wait for our first glimpse of OS X 10.9.