macOS Sierra
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2016) |
| Version of the macOS operating system | |
 | |
 macOS Sierra desktop | |
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Source model | Closed, with open-source components |
| Latest preview | 10.12 Beta 1 (16A201w) / June 13, 2016 |
| Update method | Mac App Store |
| Platforms | x86-64 |
| Kernel type | Hybrid (XNU) |
| License | APSL and Apple EULA |
| Preceded by | OS X 10.11 El Capitan |
| Succeeded by | macOS 11.0 |
| Official website | www |
| Support status | |
| In developer preview; public beta in July | |
macOS Sierra (version 10.12)[1] is the upcoming thirteenth major release of macOS (previously OS X), Apple Inc.'s desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers. The successor to OS X El Capitan, it is the first version of the operating system issued under the June 2016 rebranding as macOS. Its major advances concern Continuity, iCloud, and windowing, as well as support for Apple Pay and Siri.
The first beta of macOS Sierra was released to developers shortly following the 2016 WWDC keynote on June 13, 2016. macOS Sierra will be released as a public beta in July 2016. It will be made available to end users in fall 2016 as a free upgrade through the Mac App Store.
System requirements
macOS Sierra will run on:[2]
- iMac: Late 2009 or newer
- MacBook: Late 2009 or newer
- MacBook Air: 2010 or newer
- MacBook Pro: 2010 or newer
- Mac Mini: 2010 or newer
- Mac Pro: 2010 or newer
Sierra is the first version of macOS since OS X Mountain Lion, released in 2012, that does not run on computers that the previous version supported.[2] Developers have created workarounds to install macOS Sierra on some Mac computers that are no longer officially supported. [3]
Features
Siri
The Siri intelligent assistant will be integrated into the system. Users can access it via the Dock, the menu bar or a keyboard shortcut and results are shown with an interface in the upper-right corner. Siri can send messages, search the web, find files and adjust settings. Results are interactive and can be dropped into other applications or pinned to Notification Center. For instance, pictures from search results can be dragged into a document.
Photos
Using deep learning, Apple improved existing facial recognition, and added object and scene recognition to Photos. It groups similar pictures together using faces, locations and object recognition to create "memories". Memories contain picture slideshows with transitions and music selected by the algorithm, which can be modified to the user's liking. The People album organizes photos by the people in them, and Places shows all photos on a world map.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay allows web developers to embed an Apple Pay button on their online shops. In Safari, users can click the Apple Pay button to checkout, then securely complete purchases using an iPhone or Apple Watch.
iCloud Drive
Users can store their Documents folder and Desktop in iCloud Drive, with no need to manually save them into iCloud Drive. Users can access all files from iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC and on iCloud.com.
Optimized Storage
Optimized Storage can free up storage space. When storage space is low, it automatically uploads old files, photos, movies, and email attachments to iCloud and makes them available on demand. Files that are recently created and optimized photos stay on the Mac to allow quick access. Optimized Storage also allows finding and removing files or apps.
Messages
The Messages app adds aesthetic effects to messages, such as 3x bigger emoji and tap back with hearts or thumbs-up on a message bubble. The ability to play YouTube videos and preview links in a conversation was introduced. Users can view interactive content added to iMessage in iOS 10.
iTunes
Apple Music within iTunes has been redesigned, making it simpler to find favorite songs and discover new ones. A "For You" tab suggests new music the user will like. A refined MiniPlayer with the ability to view lyrics while you listen has also been introduced.
Tabs
Applications that support multiple windows will support multiple tabs within a single window, allowing the user to keep windows organized similarly to Safari.
Picture in Picture
Multitasking has been made more convenient with the introduction Picture in Picture, allowing users to watch and float a video window from Safari or iTunes over the desktop or a full-screen app.
Auto Unlock
If the user is wearing a Apple Watch and approaches their Mac, the user will automatically be logged in to their desktop. Time of flight is used to prevent relay attacks.
Universal Clipboard
The clipboard can be shared across nearby macOS Sierra and iOS 10 devices for cut, copy and paste.
Apple File System (Developer Preview)
Apple released a preview of a new file system, called Apple File System (APFS). It is intended for solid-state drives and flash memory and will adopt several features found in file systems as ZFS, such as snapshots and cloning, as well as native support for features that Apple already provides through HFS Plus and supplementary software, such as file-system encryption and TRIM. Usage is currently experimental and a release is planned for 2017. Apple plans to document and publish the APFS volume format.[4][5]
Releases
| Version | Build | Date | Darwin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.12 Beta 1 | 16A201w | June 13, 2016 | 16.0.0 | First developer beta |
References
- ^ "Download - Apple Developer". Apple Developer. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ a b Elliott, Matt (2016-06-13). "See which Macs will -- and won't -- work with MacOS". CNet. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "MacOS 10.12 Sierra Unsupported Macs Thread". MacRumors Forums. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
- ^ "Apple File System Guide". Apple Developer. 13 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Hutchinson, Lee (14 June 2016). "Digging into APFS, Apple's new file system". Ars Technica UK. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
