Last October, Steve Jobs gave us a sneak peek at the next major update to Mac OS X, codenamed “Lion.” The theme for this update is bringing the best iPhone and iPad features “back to the Mac.” Features such as the Mac App Store, a home screen for apps, and a new full screen mode. But this sneak peak only scratched the surface of the possibilities for Lion. Here’s my top 10 wish list. If you’ve got any better ideas, let’s hear them in the comments at the bottom of the page.
1. Touch Screen
Steve Jobs has already argued that touch screens don’t work on laptops because the screen needs to be oriented horizontally in order to use multi-touch comfortably. But two recent clues offer a glimmer of hope for touch screen Mac fans. First, there was the recent patent application for an iMac with a screen that pivots to work in a horizontal touch mode. And then there were those mysterious double resolution iPad icons – since it now appears that iPad 2 is not getting a Retina Display, maybe these x2 icons were for a larger device… such as an iMac touch?
2. Virtual iPhone Dashboard Widget
If you’ve ever wished you could use your iOS apps on your Mac, you’ll probably like this idea. How about a new dashboard widget that uses your iPhone backup on your Mac to create an exact replica, running in an iPhone-shaped widget on your dashboard? It would feature your wallpaper, contacts, apps… everything. Just like on your phone. The technology for this already exists, in the form of the iPhone simulator that comes with Apple’s developer tools. An iPhone widget could breath new life into the Mac’s often forgotten Dashboard feature.
3. Checking Mail While in Sleep Mode
OK, so it can be a little frustrating when my iPad and iPhone are chiming in unison throughout the night, to announce each e-mail as it arrives. Do I really need another device adding to the cacophony? But there are times, like when I’m waiting with baited breath for an important message, when I’d like my MacBook to tell me if I’ve got new mail, even when the lid is closed.
4. Separate iPod App for Playing Music
Playing music on an iPhone or iPad is an absolute pleasure. The iPod app is simple, uncluttered and intuitive. On a Mac, however, iTunes has become increasingly bloated with the many tasks it has to perform. It is also very counterintuitive that the names for the media playback and download apps are different on a Mac when compared with an iPhone or an iPad. Isn’t it time that Apple unified this into a consistent cross-platform app-naming convention?
5. Hardware Features: 3G, GPS
The new MacBook Air is so mobile, I take it with me pretty much everywhere I go. Which means 3G and GPS would really come in handy. A MacBook is supposed to be more powerful than an iPad, so how come my iPad can get Internet when my Macbook can’t? And why is it that Google Maps can locate me more accurately on my iPhone than my Macbook?
6. Wi-Fi Auto-Join
When an iOS device detects a Subscription Wi-Fi Network, it triggers a popup window, enabling you to authenticate even when you’re not in Safari. It even remembers the network and login information so that you can automatically join next time. I wish my Mac was this smart!
7. App Notification
iOS apps have lots of handy ways to notify you when stuff happens. On the Mac, Growl is a third-party solution used by many popular apps for this purpose, including Adium, VLC and Skype. It’s is OK, but wouldn’t it be nice to see app notification done with Apple’s trademark finesse?
8. Flight-Safe Mode
Why is it when I’m on an airplane, I can simply put my iPhone into flight safe mode, whereas with my MacBook, I have to shut off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth manually?
9. iBooks
It seems strange that iBooks is available for iPhone, iPad but not Mac. There have been many occasions where I’ve wanted to read a book on my Macbook Air. Kindle provides a great alternative, but it doesn’t have the cute page turn effect.
10. Game Center
The Mac App Store has already prompted something of a renaissance for games on the Mac. Game Center is the obvious next step, so Angry Birds on a Mac can flock together with birds of a feather on iPhone and iPad.
Update: turns out recent Macs already support earphone remote and Mic – thanks for the correction, Lynch
