Apple unveils free OS X Mavericks update

Apple has this morning announced that OS X Mavericks, the 10th major release of Cupertino's most advanced desktop operating system, is available for free from the Mac App Store.

With more than 200 new features, Cupertino says OS X Mavericks delivers new core technologies for breakthrough power efficiency and performance.

Bringing iBooks and Maps to the Mac, the update also includes a new version of Safari, enhances multi-display support, introduces Finder Tabs and Tags.

"Mavericks is an incredible release, which introduces significant new apps and features, while also improving the performance and battery life of your Mac," says Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering.

"We want every Mac user to experience the latest features, the most advanced technologies, and the strongest security.

"We believe the best way to do this is to begin a new era of personal computing software where OS upgrades are free.

OS X Mavericks introduces innovative new features, including:

• iBooks - which gives you instant access to your iBooks library and works seamlessly across your devices;

• Maps - which brings powerful mapping technology to the desktop and lets you plan a trip from your Mac and send it to your iPhone for voice navigation on the road;

• a streamlined Calendar - that estimates travel time between appointments, and provides a map with weather forecast;

• a new version of Safari - with Shared Links, which helps you find what's new on the web by consolidating links shared by people you follow on Twitter and LinkedIn;

• iCloud Keychain - which safely stores your website usernames and passwords, credit card numbers and Wi-Fi passwords and pushes them to your trusted devices so you don't need to remember them; enhanced multi-display support, which makes using multiple displays easier and more powerful, with no configuration required;

• interactive Notifications - allowing you to reply to a message, respond to a FaceTime call or even delete an email without leaving the app you're using;

• Finder Tabs - which help unclutter your desktop by consolidating multiple Finder windows into a single window with multiple tabs; and

• Finder Tags - a powerful new way to organise and find your files located on your Mac or in iCloud.

Mavericks also includes new core technologies that boost performance and improve the battery life of your Mac, while delivering significant performance enhancements for systems with integrated graphics through optimised OpenCL support and dynamic video memory allocation.

Pricing - Availability

OS X Mavericks is available today for free from the Mac App Store, with any Mac capable of running OS X Mountain Lion can also run Mavericks.

You can upgrade to Mavericks for free directly from OS X Snow Leopard, Lion or Mountain Lion.

For a complete list of system requirements and compatible systems, please visit www.apple.com/nz/osx/specs.

OS X Server 3.0 requires Mavericks and is available from the Mac App Store for NZD$24.99 inc. GST.