Apple pegged for Siri and Maps integration with next OS X

Apple will bundle its Siri and Maps applications into the next version of its OS X operating system, according to reports.

Apple news site 9to5mac.com cited unnamed sources in reporting that early builds of OS X 10.9 would offer desktop versions of the company's voice-activated personal assistant software and its mapping tools.

The site also reported that Apple will be opening up its mapping platform to developers, releasing a framework which would allow for Maps features to be integrated into third-party applications.

If true, the integration of Siri and Maps would port two of the iOS' highest profile components on Apple's desktop brand. While the Macintosh OS has offered limited support for voice commands since the 1990s, such components were not nearly as comprehensive as the Siri platform.

Apple's new Maps app was savaged by reviewers and early adopters to the point Apple chief executive Tim Cook was forced to issue a public apology to customers.

Apple has previously sought to combine elements of iOS into OS X. The company operates a special branch of its App Store service dedicated specifically to Mac applications, and the OS X Lion release included a number of features borrowed from or inspired by iOS.

Unlike competitors such as Microsoft, Apple has opted to maintain its OS X desktop and iOS tablet operating systems separate for the most part, developing each as its own platform. The company has developed the iPad tablet as a mobile device rather than as a personal computer.