Facebook and the Mac just
officially upgraded their relationship status. Apple has pushed out a new
update to OS X Mountain
Lion that includes Facebook integration.
Version 10.8.2 incorporates Facebook
sharing into many system components and Apple-made apps. Users will be able to
sign into Facebook via their System Preferences, just like they do with Twitter
now in Mountain Lion. Once signed in, several new abilities are unleashed.
Apps such as Safari, Preview and Contacts
will now include a “Facebook” option in their sharing, and Apple says
third-party developers will be able to create apps that exploit the feature.
Sharing is also built into the Notification Center, letting you see Facebook
notifications and post status updates directly from there (without launching
specific apps).
OS X’s Game Center, which Mountain Lion
adopted from iOS, will now let you play games against Facebook friends. You can
also “Like” a game right from the Game Center.
Although Facebook is the big new thing in
OS X 10.8.2, also notable is improved communication with iPhones. The update
will make sure iMessages (text messages from other iOS or OS X devices) sent to
your phone number show up on your Mac. You’ll also now be able to take FaceTime
video calls on your Mac even if they were sent to your phone number. One
caveat: Your iPhone will need iOS 6, which just
launched today.
The new Mountain Lion brings other
functions such as Power Nap support for older MacBook Air models, shared
reminders with other Apple account holders, better sorting abilities for Notes,
and seven new languages for Dictation, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish,
Korean, Canadian English, Canadian French and Italian.
Have you updated to the new version of
Mountain Lion? How’s the Facebook sharing working out for you? Share your
impressions in the comments.
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