Reports are rife in the Apple world that the Cupertino based giant is already testing early builds of the next version of its Mac operating system – OS X 10.9. Amid the rumors, a 9to5Mac report has surfaced online, where Mark Gurman has disclosed that Apple is very curious to bring iOS features to OS X 10.9, that is, Apple Maps and the popular Siri feature.

“Early builds in testing of the next-generation Mac operating system, OS X 10.9, point to Siri and Maps integration coming to Mac computers next year, ” said the report citing reliable sources. 

Macs running on Mountain Lion OS already use Dictation and Text-to-Speech features, which has similar hardware resources and infrastructure as Siri. However analysts predict that Siri integration would presumably offer Mac users voice-command and search functionality to Mac users. 

On the other hand, Apple’s mapping service, which was subjected to much criticism and controversy on its launch will reportedly be incorporated by developers into applications to be included in Mac App Store, once it passes the early testing stages. 

With this, Mapkit framework might enable Apple to introduce the mapping service on the Mac and not merely for developers. 

However at this point, in spite of disclosure in the 9to5Mac report, it is still unsure that the integration of the Maps will be its own application or simply a framework for developers in OS X 10.9. 

While it is still unclear, as to when the next Mac OS will be released. However going by the trend that Mountain Lion OS X 10.8 was released in July and was previewed to developers back in February. It would be logical to say that the next generation OS X 10.9 will be showcased for the developers preview by early 2013 and would be released for consumers by mid of the year reportedly titled as Lynx.

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