Apple announced its latest MacOS, named Mojave at the WWDC conference back in June while the update was rolled out on 24 September, around 10:30 pm IST.
The new operating system gives users more control over their Mac and makes managing a desktop easier, with features like stacks and an updated finder. The new update will be available for all Mac devices launched in 2012 or later.
Mojave OS also introduces a new Dark Mode with a new 'Stacks' feature that organises messy desktops by automatically stacking files into neat groups. It also introduces a lot of updates for features like Screenshots, Finder and more.
The MacOS also welcomes some new apps into its ecosystem like the News, Stocks, Voice Memos and Home app. Here’s everything you need to know.
New Dark and Dynamic Themes
Like many Windows themes, the MacOS now supports a Dark Mode, which gives the desktop a dark colour scheme. Apple says that the Dark mode enables you to focus better on your work but honestly, we are not sure how that works.
Apart from having an option to toggle between a light and dark desktop, the desktop on Mojave also supports a Dynamic desktop feature in which the theme changes according to the time of the day. Apple is calling it a time-shifting desktop.
A Cleaner, Smoother Desktop Experience
The new operating system has finally taken care of the most needed feature on an iMac — it helps you clear the clutter on your desktop. Apple is calling this feature ‘Stacks’.
Stacks automatically organises your files into groups. These groups can be arranged by the kind of file, date, etc. You can also arrange your files with more specific metadata like project name, client name, etc.
This is actually a very useful feature given how messy most Mac, desktops end up being.
Another useful feature in terms of usability is the ability to perform more actions than just previewing with just a tap of the space bar. You can make minor changes without opening the application.
Safety
The new MacOS is adding new security features to your Apple PC. The macOS Mojave requires apps to get your approval before accessing the camera or microphone on your Mac. Same is the case with messages history and email database.
There have been improvements on the safety front with Safari browser as well. The most prominent being able to user mask the digital fingerprint of a user’s desktop or phone online.
This means that advertisers are restricted from posting ads on the web pages you are browsing online or tracking your browsing habits through cookies and comment boxes.
The Safari browser has introduced an enhanced Intelligent Tracking Prevention feature that helps block social media “Like” or “Share” buttons and comment widgets from tracking users without permission.
Also, the new data protection feature requires apps to get a user's permission before using the Mac camera and microphone or accessing personal data like user Mail history and Messages database.
New Additions to the App Family
There are going to be some more new apps in the MacOS, which are Voice Notes, Home, Stock and the most important of all, News.
- The News apps brings a lot of freshness with it like the photos and videos look neatly organised and users can follow their favourite publications from one app.
- With Home, Mac users can control their HomeKit-enabled accessories like turning the lights on/off or adjusting the thermostat settings.
- Voice Memos helps record personal notes, meeting reminders, interviews, etc and then access them from any other Apple device.
There were a couple of announcements also made regarding a new app store that Apple has introduced and how different applications like Screenshots and Finder have been updated with some more intuitive features.
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