With a brand new name Apple have announced the next major software update for the Mac will be called macOS Sierra (previously OS X), bringing big new features to the Mac including new updates to the photos app, deeper iCloud integration, universal clipboard and Siri for the first time.
“With macOS Sierra, you can get information, find files and multitask using Siri, access your Desktop and Documents from anywhere, copy and paste between Macs and iOS devices, and rediscover precious memories in Photos.” – Apple
Apple’s music streaming service, Apple Music, along with news aggregator Apple News will also receive an all new look to bring greater clarity and simplicity to the experience of using those services.
Major New Features
macOS Sierra includes a long list of new features to both end users, and developers who create apps for the Mac, which will allow them to create even better, more advanced apps for the Mac.
The biggest addition to macOS Sierra is Siri, which will now arrive on the Mac after being available to iOS for the last couple of years. With Siri on the Mac you will be able to ask Siri to find files, send messages, ask just about any question, and more.
Your Desktop and Documents will also be integrated with iCloud with a new feature that will automatically sync files to your iCloud Drive, making them available via the iCloud Drive app on iPhone or iPad.
Siri On the Mac
- Quickly locate information and files
- Ask Siri questions, and get answers
- Send messages via Siri
Apple Pay
- Shop online through Safari and pay with Apple Pay
- Authenticate your purchases with Touch ID from your iPhone, or Apple Watch
New Photos App
- Help find your favourite memories, and occasions from your photos with the new Memories feature in the Photos app
- See your favourite events, trips, and people
- See photos you’ve taken from a certain place or by a person using facial, object and scene recognition
More Features
- Unlock your Mac automatically when wearing your Apple Watch
- Automatically free up storage space with a new Optimised Storage tool
- New Apple Music design in iTunes
- Picture-in-Picture
You can see all the new features of macOS Sierra from Apple Australia.
Release Date
At this stage macOS Sierra is only a ‘preview’ and will go through a testing process by developers, and those on public beta. While no date has been set the availability of the new update worldwide (including in Australia), it will be sometime in early Spring.