Apple unveils macOS Monterey at WWDC 2021
The next edition of the Mac operating system is to be called macOS Monterey.
Apple has unveiled the next release of macOS
Apple has introduced the successor to macOS Big Sur in its annual WWDC keynote event. Due in beta form for developers shortly, it will become the pre-installed version of macOS later in the year.
The most striking features that come with macOS Monterey include Universal Control. Using the keyboard and mouse or trackpad on a Mac, users can control iPads or other Macs nearby.
With one keyboard and mouse, users can switch between controlling any of the devices. But it can also allow movement between them all, with drag and drop working across every device.
"This year we're bringing shortcuts to the Mac," announced Craig Federigh. "The Mac is after all, where we turn for so much of our creative work. And now you have automate the everyday stuff to achieve peak productivity."
"With the shortcuts editor, you can easily link together a series of actions to design shortcuts for your specific workflows," he continued. "We'll weave Shortcuts throughout Mac OS, so you can run them no matter what app is open."
Craig Federighi demonstrating dragging a file from an iPad, through a MacBook Pro, and onto an iMac
"We built Safari from the very beginning to provide the best browsing experience on Mac, and it continues to blow the competition out of the water," said Federighi. "Our users are doing more in the browser, than ever before, work, school, shopping, entertainment, and that often leaves them with a lot of tabs, Windows and other distractions."
"We think using the browser should feel natural, and uncluttered," he continued. "So we've reimagined the browsing experience we distilled the toolbar to its essential elements. Tabs are more compact, modern, and lightweight, and there's a completely new way to use tabs with tab groups allow you to easily save and manage your tabs, without cluttering up your tab bar."
That includes SharePlay. While on a FaceTime call with friends and colleagues, users can share movies, music, and more.
As it enables sharing this information with who users want to work with, Apple has also added to the existing privacy of macOS. Just as it will with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, Apple Mail will block the ability for emailers to detect when users read their email.
By default, Apple includes various specific Focus modes, such as Work, but users can add and customize their own.
Apple's snapshot of new features in macOS Monterey
Apple's translation app has been expanded upon, and its features will now be available system-wide. "Translate text anywhere, even in many third-party apps," says Apple in a statement. "Just highlight text, rightclick, and select Translate to immediately see the translation."
Also, users who currently pay for iCloud services will automatically be upgraded to iCloud+, which adds new privacy features to the Mac, including a VPN.
Continuing the increasing use of spatial audio across the Apple eco-system, macOS Monterey will support it to bring theater-like sound to AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max.
The new macOS Monterey will run on the following models of Mac:
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Apple has unveiled the next release of macOS
Apple has introduced the successor to macOS Big Sur in its annual WWDC keynote event. Due in beta form for developers shortly, it will become the pre-installed version of macOS later in the year.
The most striking features that come with macOS Monterey include Universal Control. Using the keyboard and mouse or trackpad on a Mac, users can control iPads or other Macs nearby.
With one keyboard and mouse, users can switch between controlling any of the devices. But it can also allow movement between them all, with drag and drop working across every device.
Shortcuts for Mac
The new macOS Monterey also brings Shortcuts from iOS to Mac. The automation tool is a more straightforward system than the longstanding Automator or AppleScript, both of which continue to be supported."This year we're bringing shortcuts to the Mac," announced Craig Federigh. "The Mac is after all, where we turn for so much of our creative work. And now you have automate the everyday stuff to achieve peak productivity."
"With the shortcuts editor, you can easily link together a series of actions to design shortcuts for your specific workflows," he continued. "We'll weave Shortcuts throughout Mac OS, so you can run them no matter what app is open."
Craig Federighi demonstrating dragging a file from an iPad, through a MacBook Pro, and onto an iMac
Safari
Safari on macOS Monterey incorporates privacy and performance features, most notably in its new system for displaying and using tabs."We built Safari from the very beginning to provide the best browsing experience on Mac, and it continues to blow the competition out of the water," said Federighi. "Our users are doing more in the browser, than ever before, work, school, shopping, entertainment, and that often leaves them with a lot of tabs, Windows and other distractions."
"We think using the browser should feel natural, and uncluttered," he continued. "So we've reimagined the browsing experience we distilled the toolbar to its essential elements. Tabs are more compact, modern, and lightweight, and there's a completely new way to use tabs with tab groups allow you to easily save and manage your tabs, without cluttering up your tab bar."
Privacy and iOS compatibility
Its other major updates also concentrate on adding new features toMessages, as well as improving support for Apple Silicon Macs. It's also bringing the Mac up to date with features that are key to the new iOS 15.That includes SharePlay. While on a FaceTime call with friends and colleagues, users can share movies, music, and more.
As it enables sharing this information with who users want to work with, Apple has also added to the existing privacy of macOS. Just as it will with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, Apple Mail will block the ability for emailers to detect when users read their email.
Focus, Translation, and Privacy
Also brought across from the new iOS 15 is Focus. Users can set Focus mode across their devices, which filters out unrelated notifications -- and can respond to other users automatically.By default, Apple includes various specific Focus modes, such as Work, but users can add and customize their own.
Apple's snapshot of new features in macOS Monterey
Apple's translation app has been expanded upon, and its features will now be available system-wide. "Translate text anywhere, even in many third-party apps," says Apple in a statement. "Just highlight text, rightclick, and select Translate to immediately see the translation."
Also, users who currently pay for iCloud services will automatically be upgraded to iCloud+, which adds new privacy features to the Mac, including a VPN.
Hardware updates
Certain macOS Monterey features are directly related to hardware. A new Low Power Mode "manages energy-intensive apps and processing," meaning battery life is extended.Continuing the increasing use of spatial audio across the Apple eco-system, macOS Monterey will support it to bring theater-like sound to AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max.
Availability and compatibility
The first developer beta of macOS Monterey is being made available immediately. Public betas will begin in July, and the shipping version will be released in the Fall.The new macOS Monterey will run on the following models of Mac:
- iMac: late 2015 or later
- iMac Pro
- MacBook Air: early 2015 and later
- MacBook Pro: early 2015 and later
- Mac Pro: late 2013
- Mac mini: late 2014 and later
- MacBook: early 2016 and later
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Comments
Better still - stop randomly playing videos - especially when opening Safari and restoring windows from your previous browsing session.
Not sure I'm crazy about the new tab interface re: the blending of UI elements. It's already way harder than it should be to grab a window to move it around. The improvements on iOS do look pretty significant and cool.
For me there wasn't much here. Automation maybe, I'lll have to see how that pans out.
The iPad/MacOS emphasis seems odd to me.
You would think that Apple users, including myself, have 2 out of 3, of the main devices. A Mac and an iPhone, or an iPad and an iPhone, if you don't need a Mac. I have had all three before but it was fairly pointless. My MacBook 13" is portable enough to take anywhere I need. For mobile, rather than portable, devices there is a large screen iPhone.
Yet Apple is spending a lot of energy promoting the iPad as a content creator, rather than a content consumer, Maybe they know their market.
I don't have an iPad so when I download Monterrey Ill see the safari tab, and might use some of the shortcuts. That will be it for me.
—I hope remembered to make this bidirectional >>> iPad & Magic Keyboard controlling the Mac 🤭
And why not extend that to operating a headless Mac mini using your iPad & Magic Keyboard with iPad as the only monitor?
Curious how the Safari UI will function with a lot fo tabs, looks much more cramped now with everything on the same level. Guess they don't use a lot of tabs themselves.
Maps turned into something beautiful, probably at least in the USA.
—obviously I am in for a nasty disappointment when the OS’s are released 😳
The thinking behind this reflects the processes of a mobile OS - not a desktop.
mind you, I haven’t upgraded to Big Sur on it yet.