All the New Stuff in OS X 10.9 "Mavericks"

Today Apple announced OS X 10.9 with long-awaited features like Finder tabs and tags, along with a few new ones. Come check out all the cool new stuff in the next version of the Mac operating system.

SFinder Tabs
A long-time feature in alternate file browser Path Finder and plug-in TotalFinder, OS X 10.9 brings tabbed browsing to the OS X Finder. Since OS X 10.5, rumor sites and news outlets have speculated that Apple would added tabs. Now, they finally have.

Tags
Apple decide to add another feature we've seen in everything from web to desktop apps for years. Now you can add tags to documents, folders, and more in the Finder to easily find what you're looking for without the need to keep all relevant files in a specific folder. Instead, you can just browse by tag.

SMultiple Display Enhancements
Using multiple monitors with OS X became problematic with the introduction of version 10.7. Now taking an app full screen doesn't force other displays to have a useless gray background. You can put multiple full screen apps on multiple screens. While this feels more like a fix than a feature, OS X 10.9 allows you to use your Apple TV as another display. Not a bad deal if you've got a TV but no extra monitor for work.

Battery Life Improvements
We've only seen incremental improvements in battery technology, so Apple decided to make reduce CPU utilization in OS X 10.9 to drain less power. One technology called App Nap improves battery life by suspending CPU tasks that you don't need. For example, if you have a CPU-intensive web site running in Safari and you cover it with another window, OS X will suspend that task so it doesn't drain your battery when not needed. When you uncover the window, it'll resume. Apple added several other technologies behind the scenes that'll help developers save battery life through their apps.

Safari
OS X 10.9 adds a few new features and technologies to Safari. You'll get your bookmarks in a sidebar for easier access, better JavaScript performance, lower memory usage, and other speed improvements like smooth and fast scrolling.

SiCloud Keychain
Popular solutions like LastPass and Dashlane save your passwords and sync them amongst your many computers. Apple decided to get in on the fun with iCloud Keychain. It'll remember passwords for sites and other things (e.g. Wi-Fi), credit card numbers, and more. Everything syncs with iCloud, and Apple encrypts all the data to keep it safe.

Actionable and Synchronized Notifications
Now you can get notifications in OS X and actually do something with them. Instead of just clicking them to get to the app, you can reply to a message or answer a video call directly from the notification. You can also now update your apps in the background via the Software Update notification as well. iOS notifications will sync with OS X so you don't have to go between devices to see everything.

SCalendars, Maps, iBooks, and More
Calendars, Contacts, and other apps with user interfaces that imitated the real-world equivalent are now gone! Apple also added a new Maps application where you can look up directions and send them straight to your iPhone. When you unlock your iPhone, you get sent straight to navigation. Apple also created an iBooks application so you can read your iBooks on your Mac. The feature set seems on par with what you'll find on an iPad.

OS X 10.9 goes out to developers today, but everyone else will get a copy in the Fall.

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