Amidst the clamor of Apple’s new MacBook Pro release, the company also announced a developer preview of Mac OS X Lion. The new version of Mac OS X is expected to be released to the public this summer.

[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]Mac OS X Lion, first previewed by Apple last October, “takes some of the best ideas from iPad and brings them back to the Mac,” according to the company. Features include “Mission Control,” a new way of viewing everything running on the Mac; “Launchpad,” a new home for Mac apps, full screen apps and new “Multi-Touch” gestures. One of Lion’s first innovations is the Mac App Store, which Apple already released with the Mac OS X 10.6.6 update.

Other enhancements coming with Lion include an improved Mail app; AirDrop, used for wireless file exchange between Macs; Versions, a document version control system; Resume, which brings apps back to their previous state when you restart, quit or relaunch; Auto Save, which automatically saves documents in progress; ad a revamped File Vault disk encryption system.

Apple also indicated that Mac OS X Lion Server is on the way, with improved and easier server setup and the ability to manage Mac OS X Lion, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices.