Apple to Release Mac OS X Lion through Mac App Store?

 

 

Could Apple be planning on adding a new digital distribution model for its desktop and laptop operating system through the Mac App Store? According to our friends at AppleInsider, the forthcoming public release of the latest version of Mac OS X, called Mac OS X Lion 10.7, will be released as an upgrade to current Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard users through Apple’s Mac App Store. 

 

The proof seems to come from developers that were given redeem codes for Lion pre-release builds, which are downloadable via the Mac App Store. Lion will be the first time Apple offers a digital download upgrade for Mac OS X, but more importantly the an indication of just how focused Apple is on integrating apps into their desktop operating system. 

 

As of right now we already know Mac OS X Lion 10.7 will include features that have essentially been ported from their iOS mobile operating system used on iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch. This is why its not much of a surprise to learn that Apple will probably use the Mac App Store as its main distribution channel for software, much the same as the iPhone App Store. Of course, there will most likely be an optical disc made available for those unable to download it. 

 

Apple is expected to unveil more of Mac OS X Lion 10.7 at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 6 through June 10, 2011. The public release of the operating system is due sometime this summer.