The release date is nearing for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and there are many obvious indications that Apple's next generation operating system is designed to be touch screen friendly and be ready for ultra-high resolution Mac's. When Apple first announced Mac OS X Lion, they said "We’re taking our best thinking from iPad and bringing it all to the Mac", I don't believe that Apple will change the user interface of Mac OS X just to make it look more like an iPad and leave it at that. Lets have a look at some features of Mac OS X Lion that indicate a touch screen friendly environment.

Mission Control in Mac OS X Lion

Launchpad is a prime example. Launchpad gives you an iPad style access to all your apps. By clicking on the Launchpad icon. All open windows fade away and are replaced by a full screen iPad looking display of all apps. There you can swipe to go to the next page, view & create folders, launch applications just like an iPad. Now by using the mouse, it's actually more quicker and efficient to click on the Applications icon and then click on the desired application to launch, which is one of the current ways to launch an application in Mac OS X. However if the Mac was touch screen, you can click on Launchpad, and use your fingers on the screen to navigate Launchpad.

Launchpad in Mac OS X Lion

Gestures and animations is another indication that Lion is preparing for touch screen Macs.  Mac OS X lion has included many more gestures that are currently used in iOS powered devices like the iPad. This includes rubber-band scrolling, page and image zoom, pinch, and full-screen swiping. Some of these gestures will be difficult on the current Magic Mouse and Trackpad and are only practical on touch screens.

Finally, the inclusion of full-screen applications. Applications like Mail, iCal, iPhoto, and Preview will be in full screen. This gives Mac OS X an iOS feel, but will also possibly activate touch screen for these applications. Just by looking at the Mail application, you can see the interface is clean and very iPad like, which will make Mail touch screen friendly.

Mail 5 in Full Screen

Mac OS X Lion won't abandon the use of a mouse and keyboard. I believe that Apple will integrate the mouse and keyboard along with touch screen. This will give Mac OS X the best of both worlds, a hybrid of keyboard, mouse/trackpad, and touch screen. As not everything is practical using touch screen but some features will be easier just by touch rather than point and click.