Cook told the Journal that Apple will make an early version of the software available to developers on Thursday, and will start selling it in late summer.

FORBES: Apple To Add iOS-Like Features To OSX 'Mountain Lion'

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Microsoft also is planning price breaks for its Windows and Office software as part of a strategy to spur lower-cost touch-screen devices enabled by its Windows software.

WSJ: Microsoft Plans 7-Inch Tablet

And now anyone with a modem and a few dollars can become his own publisher by using simple software to create a blog -- a kind of diary of opinion or a running journal that also provides links to articles and other Web sites.

WSJ: Caught in the Web