Just four days after hitting the Web, Apple’s next version of its new Macintosh operating system has reached to a milestone. If reports are to be believed, proud developer Apple stated that users have downloaded whopping 3 million copies within first 4 days of its availability.  

It is reportedly said that user’s amazing response to Mountain lion has made it the fastest launch of an Apple operating system ever.

Reliable insiders informed, Apple is charging $20 for the software. That pays for downloads for all of a buyer's personal computers. However, Apple is also offering the OS for free to buyers who bought a Mac on or after June 11.

The Cupertino, California-based company has claimed that the new Mountain Lion is the first Mac operating system built with the Internet "cloud" in mind.  One of the highlighting features that the new Mountain Lion includes is its new Messages application which replaces iChat and allows a user to send unlimited messages, photos and video from a Mac to another Mac or a device running iOS software such as the iPad or iPhone.

Other improved features include tight integration with Apple's online storage service and a "Notification Center" that shows incoming mail, calendar reminders and other events. 

As far as the security of data is concerned, a new security feature called Gatekeeper is introduced that protects a computer against malicious software by giving the user control over what applications can be installed and downloaded.