Apple's Mountain Lion Takes Big Leap Toward Convergence

Apple's new operating system, Mountain Lion, available by this summer, will bring much of Apple’s mobile technology to the desktop (for instance, the “Messages” app will replace iChat, and Gizmodo thinks it's the future of instant messaging).

Integrated into the new OS is iCloud, which allows any document saved to the cloud to be available on an iPhone or iPad and  syncs changes with all the devices (hoping to do an end run around Dropbox, although there will be a limitation on the file sizes that iCloud can handle). In addition, Mountain Lion will sync your computer with your TV, making it an extension of your computer screen.

Twitter will also be fully integrated with Mountain Lion. According to Apple, "OS X Mountain Lion keeps you on top of all things Twitter. Sign in once and you’re all set to start tweeting — and you don’t have to leave the app you’re in. Tweet links and photos directly from Safari, iPhoto, or Photo Booth with the new Tweet Sheet. Tweet comments and add locations. And when someone mentions you in a tweet or sends you a direct message, you’ll get a Twitter notification right then and there."

According to Gizmodo, "Facebook was supposed to be integrated into iOS 4. Cupertino wanted to code its own Facebook features because it lacked confidence in Menlo Park’s ability to build a great app, so it built the social network into its mobile operating system. Facebook said no and negotiations broke down. Apple then went with Twitter in iOS 5."