Discover 10 Hidden Features and Shortcuts in OS X Lion

Note: This post was first published on July 22, 2011.

Apple’s latest operating system for Mac, 10.7, better known as OS X Lion, was officially launched on July 20, 2011. However, developers, including myself, had an earlier hands-on experience thanks to the Apple Developers Program.

According to Apple, the new $29.99 OS ships with more than 250 new features, including notable ones like Mission Control, Auto Save, Launch Pad, and the all-new Mail app.

Assuming that most of us will start exploring these key features, I’ve decided to skip them and focus on the more subtle (but useful) features. In this post, I’ll show you 10 new features of OS X Lion that can come in handy or may even increase your productivity at work. At the end of the post, I’ve also included a small list of new OS X Lion shortcuts. Rawr!

Shortcut to:

• Inverted Scrolling
• Airdrop
• Versions
• All My Files
• Keeping Copies of the Same File
• Quick Preview
• Suggested Words
• Screen Sharing
• Spotlight
• Look Up
• More
• OS X Lion Shortcuts

1. Inverted Scrolling

OS X Lion allows you to change the scrolling direction when you scroll down the mouse wheel or swipe down the trackpad. By default, it has switched to natural scrolling (scroll/swipe down means moving up the screen).

If you’re not accustomed to this, you can revert it. Simply go to System Preferences → Mouse and uncheck "Move content in the direction …".

For trackpad users, go to System Preferences → Trackpad, under Scroll and Zoom, and uncheck "Scroll direction: Natural".

2. File Transfer with AirDrop

AirDrop allows you to send files, folders, or both conveniently and wirelessly to another OS X Lion-powered Mac, regardless of their size. AirDrop is not a standalone application; it resides on the left sidebar of Finder, right under "All My Files".

Here are a few things you should know about AirDrop:

• AirDrop does not require any setup or configuration.
• AirDrop automatically discovers computers (within the same Wi-Fi network) when they are near.
• AirDrop needs to be selected in order to be detected. By unselecting AirDrop, your computer will not be discovered.

3. Keep Copies of Files with Versions

Versions tracks and keeps numerous records of your document activity. It intelligently saves multiple copies of different versions in the background. It allows you to:

• Revert to the last opened version,
• Browse (in Time Machine mode) to select the version you are looking for,
• Duplicate a version,
• Copy between versions, or
• Lock a version to prevent overwriting.

However, Versions only works with native Mac applications like Pages, Numbers, TextEdit, and a few others. In other words, do not expect it to work with third-party editors like TextMate, Dreamweaver, or Coda, at least not yet.

4. “All My Files” View

“All My Files” is a neat feature residing in Finder, giving you an overall view of all your files on your Mac, regardless of their location, in an organized manner.

Don’t panic when you hear the phrase ALL my files. Technically, it doesn’t show all files; it lists files you frequently access while the system files remain hidden.

You can also change the way files are sorted (arranged) to better manage “All My Files”.

5. Keeping Copies of the Same File

Under normal circumstances, you are only allowed to keep one copy of a particular file if they have the same file name. It’s either you keep them separated by folders, or you replace one over the other.

OS X Lion allows you to keep both or more copies by adding the word “copy” or an incrementing digit at the end of the file name whenever a duplicate copy is detected.

6. “Quick Preview” with More Options

Quick Preview gives you an instant preview of the file content when you select the file and hit the space bar. This feature was first introduced in OS X Leopard and has been further enhanced in OS X Lion.

In OS X Lion, whenever you use Quick Preview, it allows you to open with a suggested application or view in full-screen mode. Right-clicking on the “Open with …” button will list more application suggestions.

7. Suggested Words in TextEdit

Can’t quite remember the correct spelling of a particular word? Not a problem if you are working in TextEdit. Simply hit F5 at any point in the word, and you will be given a list of suggested words.

8. Enhanced Screen Sharing

Screen Sharing allows you to connect to another Mac within the same network, sharing its screen to observe or control it. Here are two new features in OS X Lion worth mentioning:

• Go full screen. You can now share a screen and go full screen, controlling it as though you are running your own Mac.
• Observation mode. Observation mode allows you to monitor a remotely connected Mac without interfering with the user on the other side. Mouse and trackpad movements are disabled in observation mode. You can switch between Controlling and Observing mode by using the shortcut Option + Command + X.

9. Improved Spotlight

Spotlight is an easy, quick, and powerful way to locate any particular file stored on your Mac. In OS X Lion, it is even better. Here are two new Spotlight features:

• Drag-drop any file. Search and drag your item instantly into email, a browser, a folder, AirDrop, or anywhere!
• Instant preview. Move your cursor over any result and get an instant preview of its content. This works for .HTML, .TXT, all image file formats, bookmarks, and more.

10. Look Up Any Word

OS X Lion allows you to conveniently look up the definition of any word you come across. Highlight the word, right-click, and select "Look up …".

Look Up will return results from Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Wikipedia. You can also click into each to learn more.

This feature supports only native Mac applications like Safari or TextEdit.

Bonus: 3 Even Smaller Features

Here are a few more subtle features I’ve managed to spot and thought should be included:

Mass Grouping Folders

Here’s a quick way to place several folders under a main folder. Select the few folders, right-click, and select "New folder with selection".

Files Number Indicator

Whenever multiple files are selected and dragged from one place to another, they will flock together. There’s also a small red rounded box indicating how many files are selected.

Resizing at Any Edge

You can now resize an application at any edge.

New OS X Lion Shortcuts

Last but not least, here are some new OS X Lion shortcuts to help speed up your activities.