Apple unveils 'Mountain Lion' software to Mac

A recent Wall Street Journal article, by Jessica E. Vascellaro, discusses how Apple Inc. is planning to make its Mac more like its iPhone and why; when Apple begins selling their new Mac OS X software titled, "Mountain Lion", later this year.

What is the big deal? The article mentions that the new software has many features that are normally seen on the iPhone.  In doing so, it appears Apple is pushing to be the first to hit on the notion that mobile devices, laptops and desktops will soon be coming together. As a result, the company wants to provide a similar experience across their various line of products. This act could have an impact across the industry as categories of devices converge.  Additionally, Apple simply wants a greater market share for their Macs which had a 5.4% market share of global PC shipments in the fourth quarter of 2011. Compared to some of Apple's other products such as the iPad and iPhone it is not great but they have shown gains recently. Apple looks to be using the success of the these other products to generate greater success with their Mac products.

Similarly, other companies are following suit with Microsoft Corp. planning a similar concept for their windows operating system that has an interface that is like its mobile-phone devices. 

In the new software, Apple will bring many of the same apps from the iPhone to Mac and has even changed some of the Mac apps to those of the iPhone such as iCal becoming Calendar. Also, Apple is incorporating other products such as iCloud into the software. A new feature on the Mac software called, AirPlay Mirroring will allow users to see what is on their iPad or iPhone and a television screen connected to an Apple TV device. This is pretty interesting as this may change how people begin to watch television.

In my opinion, this is nothing new for Apple, as we discussed in our last class session how the vision of Steve Jobs  was integral, and still is, to Apple Inc. This new product furthers this, as Apple begins to reduce differences among its products. I believe this move makes sense by easing the use of Apple products for users and it makes the Mac more functional for those that are used to the iPhone. Apple looks be really keying in on the success of the iPhone in order to improve the success of the Mac. Likewise, this product update is another way to make money as people always want to be up to date with software. The future of these products appear to be becoming more standardized as these tech products become similar in many ways across various devices. As I am not an expert I don't know if this is groundbreaking but it seems as if it will definitely have an impact.

What is your opinion? Do you think this is a good idea by Apple to somewhat 'standardize' their products and should others do likewise?