Mac OS X Lion and new Macbook Air reported to land on July 20

(Apple)

Apple is reportedly launching its long-awaited Mac OS X update, Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, on Wednesday, July 20, along with an updated MacBook Air.

The eighth major release of the Mac OS X platform includes more than 250 new features, the most notable of which are Multi-Touch gestures, full screen apps, Mission Control, Launchpad, and a brand new Mail application.

Apple-centric blog AppleInsider noted that the OS launch will take place "as early as Wednesday" and may be accompanied by "new MacBook Air models with backlit keyboards and Thunderbolt ports."

Fellow Apple blog MacRumors wrote that "Apple Retail stores have begun receiving final copies of OS X Lion today," in a July 18 post.

Apple has previously stipulated that OS X Lion will be available from July but refrained from providing a more specific launch date.

Apple was not available for comment at the time of writing.

The operating system update will be priced at $29.99 and will only be available as a download from Apple's Mac App Store.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/