The unification of Apple’s mobile and desktop operating systems has long been predicted. The phenomenal popularity of iOS, which powers the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, is considered too great for Apple to limit to its mobile range. Since 2007, over 250 million iOS devices, which are liked by consumers for their functional design and pleasing aesthetic, have been sold. The supposition that Apple would gradually integrate major elements of iOS in its Mac operating system OSX, was given significant credence this week with the announcement of Mac OSX Mountain Lion.

Coming just seven months after the launch of Lion, the new operating system is touted for a late summer release and features an array of applications which are usually found only on iOS devices. These include the alert system, Notification Centre; to-do list creator, Reminders; Apple text and media messaging service iMessage and Game Centre which is a virtual forum for players of such games as Angry Birds and Temple Run. Also, deep Twitter integration, which allows users to tweet directly from the Mac UI is too included.

The affirmation that Apple intends to make their two respective operating systems at least notably similar, displays the Cupertino company’s confidence in its frequently criticised business model. Apple is often accused of ‘Locking in‘ customers with its mobile software which only allows for media and applications purchases to be made via its own vendors: iTunes and the App Store. These accusations are likely to persist and perhaps even intensify with new security feature, Gatekeeper.

Described by Apple as making the Mac ‘Safer than ever’, Gatekeeper provides the option to prevent software created by non-Apple approved developers from being installed. In terms of protecting the system from malware, the facility is a logical innovation, though with the launch of the Mac App Store some 15 months ago, the move seems like a precursor to Mac OS becoming completely bound to Apple, just as iOS is in terms of Music and Applications downloads.

Of course it will not be known what the default setting for Gatekeeper will be until Mountain Lion’s release this summer. Some may contend that Apple will consciously  bind users to the Mac App store as standard, leaving them to take the initiative and alter their settings.

Apple have, in the past, courted controversy with certain software updates and releases. In 2008 it came under fire from Mozilla CEO John Lilly after the company ‘sneaked in’ a version of its Safari web browser with a standard iTunes update. Also, following the release of a new range of Software developer tools in 2010, the company was criticised for Anti-Competitive licensing changes, that prohibited certain non-native programs from being released.

Apple Max OSX Mountain Lion SDK is available now.