Everything we need to know about macOS 12

Every year since 2011, Apple releases a new version of macOS, so we will most likely welcome a new version of macOS this year. But since macOS Big Sur 11 is such a big change for Mac users, Apple most likely decides that the next version (which will probably be called macOS 12) will mainly focus on bug fixes and updates. Japanese small features. Here are what users expect in macOS 12.

macOS 12: Beta and release date

Apple hasn't gone too far from the release schedule since OS X Mavericks launched in October, so we have every reason to believe that Apple will announce macOS 12 at WWDC, start pushing for The developer and public beta versions will then be released in the fall. The release date has changed quite a bit, with Big Sur launching on November 12, Catalina on October 7, and Mohave on September 24.

macOS 12: New feature

Error correction and optimization

Apple doesn't wait until there's a major update like this to release fixes; they usually address them in smaller updates. However, there are still some issues that remain unresolved.

As for Apple's silicon-based Macs, can macOS be faster than it is today? Big Sur has been optimized for Apple's M1 chip system, but performance and battery life are both more upgradeable. Big Sur on the Mac M1s is impressive, but there are a lot of small issues that cause the MacBook to lag and even crash quite a lot. Honestly, if the next version of macOS is mainly focused on fixes and optimizations, that should be enough, since Big Sur has made many impressive improvements.

Backup Time Machine iCloud

One of the iPhone's best features is its iCloud backup, and we always expect it to be easily done on a Mac. Having an offsite backup is one method if you lose data, and while there are plenty of third-party cloud backup services out there, nothing beats Time Machine.

Revive the Delete icon in Messages

Big Sur has brought the Messages app on macOS identical to iOS, which is great for anyone who uses stickers, message pins, and Memoji. But there is one change that leaves users dissatisfied: Apple has removed the 'X' button for individual messages next to chats. Now when we want to delete something, we have to right click on it then choose 'Delete Conversation' or select the message and go to File> Delete Conversation. Or, if you're using the trackpad, you can use two fingers and swipe left to see the trash can icon.

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Control Center

Big Sur's Control Center is similar to that in iOS and iPadOS, helping to visually clean up the cluttered menu bar, but it has very few customization options. Control Center has only 7 buttons, which means that some buttons that are unnecessary for you cannot be deleted.

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Control Center should be at least as customizable as on iOS, more options, capable of removing any module, and support for Home Control. At this point, it might be a bit too much to ask to allow third-party apps in Control Center, but most of the menu bar's icons are for third-party apps and optionally put them in. The Control Center would be a great way to clean things up. Or at least allowing more modules is the right move.

Widget on screen

Big Sur brought the same customizable widgets to the Mac that iOS 14 brought to the iPhone. Apple has brought them to macOS too, but they're stuck in the Control Center. Perhaps it would have been better if Apple moved them out as before.

Shortcuts application

Apple released its Shortcuts automation app over two years ago for iOS, and it turns out to be a really powerful tool for getting the job done. If it comes out on a Mac, it could do a lot more.

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Mac already has the powerful Automator tool, but it's as old and not as user-friendly as Shortcuts. The Shortcuts app will be a great companion app to Automator, opening up the world of automation for more users. Plus, it will bring Mac and iPhone closer because Shortcuts on Mac will be able to run hundreds of shortcuts already on iOS.

Improved iOS support

Apple continues to tailor its iPhone and iPad app support according to Catalyst with each Big Sur update, but more work remains to be done. Basically, the user interface still often feels like we're using mobile apps on our desktop, especially with apps like TV and music, and also Performance adjustments can also be made.

Wallet application

When shopping online, it would be great to have a place with payment accounts or to store your boarding passes and event tickets right on your Mac. It will be a lot more convenient for those who regularly use computers.

Apple Health and Fitness + apps

Apple's latest fitness service is available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, but not on a Mac. For anyone who doesn't have an Apple TV, Fitness +, iMac or Mac mini connecting to a widescreen screen would be a much better experience than using an iPad or iPhone. Apple should also consider developing a version of the Health app for Mac, which will be very convenient when users can keep track of their health information synced across devices.

Siri

Siri improvements are requests that appear on every operating system improvement wishlist. Apple often talks a lot about how Siri improves every time there's a new macOS or iOS update, but it's never been enough. To compete with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, Siri has to go a very long way. We can't even set a simple alarm on our MacBook yet. It's time Siri makes the leap, it's best to start with the Mac.

David Pac

Update 26 April 2021