9to5Mac reports that Mac OS X 10.9 won’t surprise users with a complete overhaul, but will focus on various “power-user” improvements and even borrow core features from iOS. The latter, however, seems like a pretty straightforward move, as Apple decided to approach both its desktop and mobile operating systems with earlier launches (e.g. Mountain Lion.)
The sources point to Finder enhancements such as tabbed browsing and tags, but also say the next version of the Safari Web browser will arrive with a redesigned backend for improved page loading, speed and efficiency.
Another rumoured power-user improvement coming with “Cabernet” (the codename for Mac OS X 10.9) is fullscreen app support on multiple displays. The lack of multi-monitor support disappointed professional users when Mountain Lion launched, so a reader, Stephen Gilbert, wrote to Craig Frederighi to highlight the need for this feature. In his answer Frederighi did not reveal Apple’s future plans, but he said that Apple is “absolutely aware of [its] customers’ passion on this topic,” the letter shared with 9to5mac shows.
According to one source, Apple has been testing a new multi-tasking system for OS X that is similar to the quick-app-switcher function on iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. The multitasking feature will be functional for applications in the background, according to this person. Additionally, Apple could use app-pausing technologies from iOS to pause background application processes in OS X. This is significant as full performance could be given to foreground apps, which could help optimize battery life on Apple’s notebook computers. It is unclear if this feature will make the cut for 10.9?s public release.
Other rumoured features — as reported by the blog — is Siri functionality, although it isn’t clear whether “Cabernet” will feature full Siri support, or if it will be hardware upgrade related as in the case of iPhone 4 and 4S.
