Everybody remembers their first Mac. For me, it was a 2007 iMac (oh, how I miss the 24-inch mannequin), and the whole lot about macOS felt distinctive (and this was OS X Leopard, if reminiscence serves).
A lot has modified since then, in fact. Continuity, Apple Silicon, iPhone mirroring, and extra have all come to the platform in recent times, however macOS Tahoe looks like a sizeable replace even alongside these predecessors, and now I have been utilizing the working system for a couple of months now, listed below are my favourite new options.
1. Liquid Glass
(Picture credit score: Apple/Lloyd Coombes)
We have now to begin with the brand new look that is not only for macOS, however the entire firm’s main platforms.
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Liquid Glass is moderately putting, it should be mentioned, and the choice to tweak it to match your desktop picture with icon tinting looks like a way more profitable trick right here than it’s on iOS the place issues get a bit cluttered.
There are some minor flies within the ointment in the intervening time (some apps haven’t up to date their icons but, for instance, and I’m not overly satisfied of the borders on Finder home windows), however I recognize Apple working to make a sweeping change that even touches iconic options just like the Macintosh HD icon (not a mechanical drive, hooray!).
2. The Cellphone App
(Picture credit score: Apple/Lloyd Coombes)
It looks like a small addition on the floor, however with the arrival of the Cellphone app on macOS, I believe the hole between Apple’s platforms has been successfully closed and stitched collectively fairly comprehensively by Continuity.
Having the ability to make and obtain calls, and take heed to voicemails, may appear a situational characteristic, however if you happen to’ve ever been in the course of work, within the zone, and carrying AirPods solely to have your telephone begin ringing, you’ll recognize the brand new heads-up as to who it’s.
That goes hand in hand with the decision screening characteristic carried throughout from iOS 26, which means you don’t even have to reply till precisely who’s on the road. Having the ability to use Maintain Help to know whenever you’re by way of to an agent when you’re engaged on, say, a listicle about one of the best macOS Tahoe options, even with out utilizing your telephone, could be very useful, too.
3. Journal
(Picture credit score: Apple/Lloyd Coombes)
Whereas some apps are the kind I’ve opened as soon as after which swiftly forgotten about (I’m you, new Apple ‘Video games’ app), Journal is one thing I do know shall be notably helpful.
It at all times felt odd that it was confined to the iPhone earlier than, however as I defined earlier, I can see myself writing in there way more usually on a platform connected to a keyboard.
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The iCloud integration does half the give you the results you want, filling in your exercises, locations you’ve been, and including pictures, which means you may simply add as a lot (or as little) as you need with phrases.
4. Dwell Actions
(Picture credit score: Apple/Lloyd Coombes)
I’ve an issue: I simply love ordering espresso an excessive amount of. It’s my largest vice, and whereas having to order on my telephone if I needed to get pleasure from Dwell Actions was a small value to pay, Apple now has a first-world resolution to my first-world drawback: Dwell Actions on Mac.
Now, I can monitor my Uber Eats order in my Menu Bar whereas I get on with work, secure within the information I gained’t miss a notification when it arrives – even when my telephone is elsewhere.
5. Highlight
(Picture credit score: Apple/Lloyd Coombes)
I could have buried the lede placing this final, however make no mistake: Highlight is probably the most spectacular a part of macOS Tahoe.
As a giant productiveness fanatic (I acknowledge how peculiar that designation is), with the ability to ship a message, open an app, and even entry menu bar gadgets with out taking my palms off my keyboard is one thing that’s very welcome.
I’ve lengthy been a consumer of Alfred, and should but revert to utilizing it as a result of I’ve my very own workflows in there, however having it constructed into the OS will undoubtedly enable for way more experimentation.
Working hand-in-hand with Shortcuts, it’s not a foolproof automation launcher (I want I might kick off a sure Spotify playlist when activating a ‘work mode’ macro), nevertheless it might assist customers get ‘beneath the hood’ in a manner they by no means even thought-about earlier than.
What are your favourite options of macOS Tahoe? Tell us within the feedback under!
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