What to expect in Snow Leopard: Apple's next Mac OS 10.6

Apple's current OS 10.5 codenamed Leopard claimed to have added hundreds of new features to the Mac OS. Using Leopard gave me the feeling that the OS has most of what it needs (it could do with a better replacement for finder) but for one major aspect: Speed. The OS could have definitely done good being more efficient and faster. And this is exactly what Mac OS 10.6 codenamed Snow Leopard promises to deliver. While I don't agree, apple calls Snow leopard a Quantum leap (They should have made it efficient from the word go). To quote apple:

Since 2001, Mac OS X has delivered more than a thousand innovative new features. With Snow Leopard, the next major version of the world’s most advanced operating system, Mac OS X changes more than its spots, it changes focus. Taking a break from adding new features, Snow Leopard — scheduled to ship in about a year — builds on Leopard’s enormous innovations by delivering a new generation of core software technologies that will streamline Mac OS X, enhance its performance, and set new standards for quality. Snow Leopard dramatically reduces the footprint of Mac OS X, making it even more efficient for users, and giving them back valuable hard drive space for their music and photos.

Here is what is in store with Snow Leopard:

• Full 64 bit support to take advantage of more system memory
• Microsoft Exchange support to help integrate your mac to your office mail
• Grand Central Technology to make best use of multi-core processors
• Quicktime X supporting newer Codecs for better media playback
• Faster Javascript for upto 53% better performance in Safari with SnowLeopard
• Open Computing language to harness the massive power of Graphics Processors

Snow leopard is expected to launch Mid 2009.