This Year's Update to Apple's Desktop Operating System: What to Expect from Mac OS High Sierra

As we approach the fall season, Apple is set to release an update to its desktop operating system, Mac OS High Sierra. This year's update promises a plethora of changes and improvements that will enhance the overall user experience on Macs. In this article, we'll delve into the various features and enhancements that make up this update.

Refining and Upgrading: Not as Many Changes as Expected

While fans of Apple's desktop operating system may have been hoping for a full-fledged design refresh, it seems that Mac OS High Sierra is more of a refinement and upgrade rather than an entirely new operating system. This doesn't mean that there won't be any exciting changes, but rather that the updates are more focused on improving existing features and processes.

A New File System: Apple's File System

One of the most significant changes in Mac OS High Sierra is the switch from HFS to Apple's file system. This new architecture provides faster and more stable file management, making it easier for users to find and access their files. The 64-bit architecture also brings improved security features, including built-in encryption and crash-safe protections.

Enhanced Security: Blocking Ad Trackers

Apple is taking a major step in enhancing the security of its operating system with the introduction of ad tracker blocking. This feature allows users to block targeted ads that follow them across the web, making it easier for consumers to avoid these annoying ads. However, it's worth noting that this feature does not block all ads, only those that track users.

Speed and Performance: 80% Faster than Google Chrome

Safari has also seen a significant upgrade in terms of speed and performance. Apple claims that JavaScript performance is now 80% faster than Google Chrome, making web browsing an even more enjoyable experience. This improvement is due to the new architecture and optimization techniques used by Apple.

Metal 2: Improved Graphics Performance

For graphics enthusiasts, Metal 2 is a game-changer. This new version of Apple's graphic technology works in tandem with the GPU to provide improved graphics performance. The additions include machine learning support, virtual reality capabilities, and support for external GPUs. These enhancements will undoubtedly make a noticeable difference for users who rely on their Macs for gaming or video editing.

H.264 Codec: Smaller File Size, Better Streaming

Apple has also introduced a new codec to replace H.264, which offers improved compression ratios and smaller file sizes. This means that 4K videos will stream better than ever before, making it ideal for creators who produce high-quality content. In fact, the author's own 4K video reexport using the new H.VC file format resulted in a significant reduction in size, from 1.63 GB to an impressive 1.3 gig.

Siri and Spotlight Improvements

Apple is also enhancing its virtual assistant, Siri, with several improvements. Users can now ask Siri to recommend music for them, and the AI has received new and more human-like voices. Additionally, iCloud users can share files stored within iCloud Drive with friends or colleagues, making it easier to collaborate on projects.

Spotlight's New Features

The Spotlight search feature is also getting a major update. Users can now look up flight times, terminals, gates, delays, and maps using Spotlight. This includes asking questions like "What novels were written by J.R.R. Tolkien?" or "Who was the lead singer of The Beatles?" Spotlight will provide relevant results, making it an incredibly powerful tool for users.

Notes and Reminders: A New PIN Feature

For those who rely on their Macs for note-taking, Apple has introduced a new feature that makes it easier to find important notes. The Notes app now includes a new PIN feature, which allows users to keep their most critical notes at the top of the list. This ensures that users can easily access and reference these important notes whenever needed.

FaceTime: Taking Photos During Calls

FaceTime has also received an upgrade with the ability to take photos during calls. This is a convenient feature for users who want to capture memories of their video chats without having to manually take a photo or exit the call.

Family iCloud Storage Plans

Apple has also introduced new family iCloud storage plans, offering 200 GB and 2 TB options for those who need more storage space. These plans provide users with peace of mind, knowing that they have enough storage capacity to handle their files and photos.

Messages: Cloud-Saved Messages

Finally, Apple's messaging app is getting a cloud-based update. Messages are now saved in the cloud, reducing file storage on Macs and ensuring that all messages remain up-to-date across all devices.

Conclusion

Mac OS High Sierra promises a significant improvement over its predecessor, providing users with faster performance, enhanced security, and new features that will make their computing experience more enjoyable. With improvements to Safari, Mail, Photos, and Siri, this update has something for everyone. Whether you're a graphics enthusiast or just looking for ways to streamline your workflow, Mac OS High Sierra is an exciting release that's sure to deliver.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthis year's update to Apple's desktop operating system will be coming to the masses this fall and while there's not as many updates as say iOS 11 there's plenty of changes to get excited about I've installed the first developer beta onto my 2015 MacBook Pro so let's see what's new if you are hoping for a design refresh of the new Mac OS you'll be sadly disappointed High Sierra is more of a refinement and upgrade rather than an all new operating system hi Sierra is now using Apple's file system instead of HFS meaning moving and searching for files will be faster and more stable than ever thanks to its all new 64-bit architecture AFS is also more secure thanks to built-in encryption crash safe protections and simplified data backups Safari is also seen an upgrade with new JavaScript performance which Apple claims to be 80% faster than Google Chrome along with speed apple is also looking towards Security in the form of blocking ad trackers so once you visited an online store or website those annoying repetitive ads will stop following you that's not to say it's blocking all ads only the ones that track you around the web Safari will identify the targeted ad trackers through machine learning as well as being able to block videos that autoplay which is super handy if you're a multi-tab surfer apple is also giving its own mail app a bit of a shrink in size taking up 35% less space on your hard drive thanks to the aforementioned file system along with speedia search results which I've got to say are definitely noticeable along with Safari and mail photos is also getting an update with a new sidebar filters and tools bringing it closer in line than ever to an app like Photoshop or if you prefer to edit with such apps you can now right click on an image and choose an app to edit with once you've finished editing hit save and the edits will save directly in the photos Library plus it will be easier than ever to organize photos thanks to being able to drag and drop collected images to albums exporting them to your desktop and rotating and favoriting batches right from the toolbar the live photo animations that are now available on iOS 11 such as Loop and bounce also make their way to photos on the Mac 2 Apple's graphic technology metal which works with the GPU to improve graphics performance now has a new version cleverly titled Metal 2 it adds new capabilities such as machine learning virtual reality support and support for external gpus so if you use your Mac for editing or to play games you'll see a speed and quality improvement thanks to more and more of us consuming 4K video Apple has introduced a new codec to replace h do2 6 4 with h VC hgvc will compress videos up to 40% more than the popular h.264 and will make them stream better thanks to having that smaller file size for example my 4K 5 1/2 minute iOS 11 Hands-On video comes out at 1.63 GB using h.264 if I reexport that using the hvvc codec it compresses it down to an impressive 1.3 gig Siri on the Mac gets a lot of the same improvements as seen in iOS as well you can now ask Siri to choose some music for for you and also gets the new and more human-like voices I don't think you'd understand if you're an iCloud user you can now share files stored within iCloud drive to friends or colleagues also using the service Spotlight can now look up flight times terminals Gates delays and even maps you can ask at questions such as musicians born in Liverpool to suggest novels by certain writers and more notes has a new PIN feature to keep your most important notes to the top of the list to find them easier as well as adding tables FaceTime now allows you to take photos during calls and there's new family iCloud storage plans of either 200 gig or 2 terab if you're in need of more storage finally messages are now saved in the cloud to help reduce file storage on your Mac and keep all of the message up to date across all of your Apple devices Mac OS High Sierra will be coming to public beta this month with a general release this fall well that's it for this video but let me know in the comments section down below what you think of Mac OS High Sierra what's your favorite features what's your least favorite give me all your thoughts in the comment section also if you enjoyed this video go ahead and hit that like button and make sure to hit subscribe so you don't miss a single video from Cult of Mac I'll catch you in the next one\n"