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Is there no time now?
Apple has released its next major version of macOS, Big Sur. For the first time, the operating system is not only available for Intel Macs, but also for the company’s future M1-chip computers.
Five months after the announcement of the big Big Sur update and no less than eleven beta versions, Apple has announced a release date. The update is available for download from Thursday 12 November.
macOS 11 Big Sur has a fresh design
According to Apple manager Craig Federighi, macOS 11 Big Sur is the “biggest design update in more than a decade”. Apple has revised the entire user interface, including the control and notification center and desktop elements, as well as the system sounds. The goal is to create a uniform look and feel across all Apple devices. In fact, Big Sur is very similar to Apple’s iOS 14.
macOS 11 Big Sur. (Screenshot: Apple / t3n)
The translucent, taller menu bar and full-height display sidebars for each app are new. Additionally, each app is assigned a key color for identification, and Apple has given more space to app icons. Additional innovations include smoothly animated transitions and buttons and controls that are visible only when needed. Additionally, Apple has touched all of its macOS apps and partially revamped them.
The News and Maps apps have received major app updates. The latter includes, among other things, guides and travel guides for places and activities. You can also create lists of favorite restaurants or vacation spots and share them with friends and family. In addition, Apple has integrated special routes along the charging stops for electric vehicles. The app also takes the loading time into account when calculating the estimated arrival time. Apple has expanded the app’s internal maps for airports and malls around the world, according to the manufacturer.
macOS Big Sur: Apple delves into the news app
With Big Sur, the news app is also getting a major repaint and new features. Conversations can be pinned to a conversation list. Tapback, this is what Apple calls the display someone is typing and the breaking news is animated too. All conversations are synced across devices on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Plus, you can now reply to specific messages directly under each conversation. This should make it easier for you to keep track of what should be practical, especially in a group conversation.
macOS Big Sur offers an extensively redesigned messaging app with many iOS features. (Screenshot: Apple / t3n)
The option in group chats to address specific people directly with a @mention is also handy. When a person is mentioned in this way, the name is highlighted. Active groups can also be edited so that you only receive notifications when you are mentioned. You can also customize groups according to your ideas with photos, memojis or emojis. Memojis and effects can now also be sent directly from the desktop.
macOS 11 Big Sur: Safari with a major update
macOS 11 Big Sur brings several new features to the Safari browser. (Screenshot: Apple / t3n)
With Big Sur, Apple has repainted its Safari. Like Google’s Chrome, the start page can be customized. However, Apple’s browser should be able to make websites 50% faster than Google’s browser. For the first time, Apple is now also offering extensions that have been offered for years in Chrome or Firefox.
Apple is also integrating more security and privacy features: With the new data protection report for websites visited, the browser tracker can identify and prevent profile creation or internet tracking. Additionally, the browser should now reliably monitor saved passwords and automatically keep an eye on them. If any of these are affected by data misuse, you will receive a warning. According to Apple, Safari also helps update passwords and create secure ones.
macOS Big Sur with new features for Safari. (Screenshot: Apple / t3n)
With the new Safari, Apple also makes it easier to switch from Chrome: the browser can import your entire history, bookmarks and saved passwords if you want.
macOS Big Sur optimized for M1 chips
Apple’s new Macbooks are based on the M1 chip. (Screenshot: Apple / t3n)
In addition, Apple’s Catalyst software, which has been in development for years, is ready with which iOS apps can be ported to macOS. Developers can use Xcode 12 and Catalyst technology to get their iOS or iPadOS apps running in macOS with little effort and tweaking. Big Sur is expected to react even faster than before to Apple’s new Macs based on internal ARM chips. Furthermore, according to the manufacturer, Macbooks are immediately ready for use as soon as the display is opened.
In addition, Apple’s comprehensive portfolio of Mac software is now in universal format and thus works natively on systems with an M1 chip. So that older applications can also run on new computers, Apple offers a solution with Rosetta 2, so that applications that have not yet been fully adapted by developers still work without modification. Additionally, Apple relies on virtualization to run Linux apps on new Macs. In addition, according to Apple, all iOS apps and games can run on Apple Silicon Macs.
Which Macs and Macbooks are compatible with macOS 11 Big Sur?
New Apple models with an M1 chip like the Macbook Pro come with macOS Big Sur ex works. (Image: Apple)
According to Apple, the big update can be installed on the following Macs and Macbooks:
- Macbook (2015 and later)
- Macbook Air (2013 and later)
- Macbook Pro (Late 2013 and later)
- Mac Mini (2014 and later)
- iMac (2014 and later)
- iMac Pro (2017 and up, so all models)
- Mac Pro (2013 and later)
Apple announces the end of updates for the 2012 Macbook Air and Macbook Pro from mid 2012 and early 2013. MacOS 11 Big Sur can no longer be installed on the 2012 and 2013 Mac Minis and the 2012 and 2013 iMacs are also out.
As usual, we recommend that you wait a few more weeks before updating to the new version of the operating system. Even though Apple has released eleven betas, bugs may still be hiding in macOS. Furthermore, it is entirely possible that some apps are not yet fully compatible and may generate errors or even crash. If you can’t do anything about it, remember to make a backup first.
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