This weekend broke news that Apple was already hard at work on OS X 10.8, so it would be natural to assume that in the next version of OS X, Cupertino will bring even more iOS functionality to their desktop operating system: stuff like Airplay and iMessages.
Nope. But don’t be too disappointed. AirPlay and iMessages are reportedly coming to OS X 10.7 Lion, instead.
9to5Mac reports that AirPlay Mirroring and iMessage for OS X are internally in development. The former would allow users to wirelessly mirror exactly what is on their display to an Apple TV connected to an HDTV or projector, while the latter could be baked right into OS X’s standard iChat app, allowing OS X users to send free texts to friends on the go with their iPhones and iPads.
I’ve got to admit, I’m more excited about AirPlay coming to Lion than iMessages. I often hook my MacBook Air up to my HDTV for movie watching, but if I could replace plugging in a physical cable for clicking my mouse, I’d do so in a heartbeat.
Best not to get too excited about the possibility, though: 9to5Mac cautions that these projects may very well never see the light of day.
