Credit: Apple Inc. ( APPL , quote ) previewed its next Macintosh operating system today, dubbing it "Mountain Lion" and promising that it would be released this summer. It offers many new features, but what stands out is how many of those features are customized for Chinese users.
According to Apple, Mountain Lion offers a "new Mac experience in China." Its email, address book, and calendar software work with the popular QQ instant messaging program from Tencent ( TCEHY , quote ). Leading search provider Baidu ( BIDU , quote ) is a built-in option in the Safari web browser. Chinese users can easily share Youku videos ( YOKU , quote ) or blog using Sina Weibo ( SINA , quote ). Apple has also improved text input so typing in Chinese is "easier, faster, and more accurate."
Apple was already doing well in China. Ben A. Reitzes of Barclays Capital says Mac sales grew faster in China last quarter than they did in the United States. Apple CEO Tim Cook said at today's unveiling of Mountain Lion that Mac sales doubled in China last year.
The success of the iPhone has prepared the way for Apple to sell more Macbooks. According to Cook, the Chinese "know about Apple and what Apple stands for. Then they search out and look for the Mac."
Mountain Lion will be released this summer, so investors can expect Apple to push hard for Chinese sales in the second half of 2012.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
