In addition to the new version of iOS, Apple also introduces
a new version of OS X. Accompanying iOS 10 is macOS Sierra, the successor of OS
X El Capitan that's announced at WWDC last year.
Long before this, the official name of the Mac operating
system is Mac OS X - followed by the version name, such as Snow Leopard, and so
on - then move on to OS X; and now it's back again using the name of macOS, but
this time without the letter of "X" and the word "mac"
without capitalization. Now let's see what features brought by macOS Sierra.
Significant improvements for the Continuity
As we know, Continuity is Apple's term in describing the
synchronization between its devices, such as Mac to iPhone, or iPad to Apple
Watch. Continuity in macOS Sierra is now much more sophisticated, including the
simple things such as Auto Unlock.
Auto Unlock feature basically allows the user to open the
Mac quickly without the need to enter a password at all. There's only one
condition, user should wear the Apple Watch, so as long as you use Apple Watch
on your wrist, you can bypass the lock screen of macOS Sierra instantly.
Another part of the Continuity is Universal Clipboard. This
feature allows users to copy and paste between devices. So such that you copy
the text in the iPhone, the text can be pasted in Mac. This feature also
applies to other content such as pictures and videos.
Furthermore, the files stored on the Mac desktop can also be
synced via iCloud, so users can see the same files - complete up to its
placement on the desktop - in other Mac device, or users can open the iCloud
Drive app on iOS devices.
Siri is coming to the Mac
This is good news for Mac users, where Siri will be coming
along with macOS Sierra. Siri on the Mac can be accessed via the Dock, menu bar
or with keyboard shortcuts. User can ask Siri to search for a specific file on
his Mac or specify a new agenda on the calendar.
Siri of course can also be used to search for information on
the Internet, for example pictures. Interestingly, the search results can
directly be dragged and tethered to a document that's being worked, for example
on Pages. Overall, Siri on the Mac is the Siri that we know so far on iOS.
Storage optimization
Storage becomes a crucial element for Mac users, especially
the MacBook Air or MacBook that has limited storage. Apple tries to provide
solution through storage optimization in macOS Sierra.
The way it works is quite simple, where the file that's
rarely used will be automatically moved to a temporary iCloud. The macOS Sierra
will also alert the user to delete the installer file that has been used, the
double download files, cache and many more. Everything is displayed in a single
application that's easy to understand.
Picture in Picture
Picture in Picture is one of the mainstay features of iOS 9
in the iPad. This feature allows users to play video in a separate window that
can be accustomed and removable, but at the same time users can still do
something in another application.
Tabs in many applications
macOS Sierra is now not just packing the Tabs feature for
Safari, but also in the majority of other applications, even on the third-party
applications. This feature allows users to open two windows of different
applications despite being in full-screen position, such as Maps and Notes
applications.
Shopping online with Apple Pay
Mac users will be able to shop online and make payments with
Apple Pay. So when they want to pay, the users will be asked to authenticate
via Touch ID on the iPhone. It is also part of a more perfect Continuity
feature in macOS Sierra.
Other updates of macOS Sierra include a brand-new iMessage
that's introduced in iOS 10, and a new look of Apple Music in iTunes. The macOS
Sierra will be released to consumers starting next spring, while its beta
version can be tested by the public in July.