Apple announced further details on OS X Mountain Lion, the iterative successor to Lion. Improvements include separate apps for Messages, Reminders, and Notes as well as a new notifications system. iCloud users can also store documents to the cloud.

Another improvement is a new style dock which tweaks OS X’s current dock ever so slightly.

Mountain Lion now supports native dictation as well as a special “do not disturb” switch that turns off all notifications when you are, for example, giving a presentation.

The OS also includes a new version of Safari with a unified search field as well as Tab View and tab syncing. You can also now use gestures to navigate between tabs.

This is also the first version of the OS to support Facebook sharing. A new feature called Power Nap will update all your apps and OS files while the computer is idle, allowing you to avoid time-consuming maintenance.

Game Center is now also part of Mountain Lion, allowing you to share scores and gaming friends across multiple devices.

The new OS will cost $19.99 and is available in near final developer form today.