The OS X 10.7 buzz starts--something big in the next release?

The most recent announcements from Apple have been rather lacking in news and information about the next version of OS X. Currently OS X 10.6 is in the middle of its life cycle, and while there have been updates to the operating system, Apple's big announcements and information have revolved around new hardware and iOS updates. It seems, however, that the focus may soon start shifting toward OS 10.7.

The various rumor sites have uncovered a job listing at Apple that suggests something big will be coming to OS X. The listing states:

Are you looking to help create something totally new? Something that has never been done before and will truly amaze everyone? Are you excited by the prospect that what you helped create would be used every day by millions of Apple customers? Then come and work with the Mac OS X software engineering team to help build a new and revolutionary feature for Mac OS X.

We are looking for a senior software engineer to help us create a revolutionary new feature in the very foundations of Mac OS X. We have something truly revolutionary and really exciting in progress and it is going to require your most creative and focused efforts ever.

The announcement goes on to further describe an ideal candidate having familiarity with HTTP protocols and other Web and Internet-based programming experience, suggesting the next version of OS X will be more integrated in the Web and networking.

This, of course, is exceptionally intriguing. I've been under the impression Apple has finally reached a refined codebase with OS X in Snow Leopard, and is now ready to branch out and do some wild and crazy stuff with the OS. With Snow Leopard, Apple replaced all the parts but kept everything basically the same as Leopard in OS X, and it's been nearly three years since the Mac has seen a significant new feature. Lets hope this and maybe other jobs like it at Apple will bring about new and fun features for Mac users to tinker with.

Albeit very broad and nonspecific, this announcement is one of the first real 10.7-related bits of information out there. One possibility is it may be part of a PR campaign by Apple to boost interest in the Mac, but if so, it's working on my end. We will wait and see.

Do you have any features you would like to see come to OS X? If so, post them in the comments. One thing I am very curious about is what animal they will use to describe the next OS--they're all out of big cats.

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