Apple Releases macOS Big Sur
Arriving a few months later than originally expected, the latest version of macOS is finally available with a fresh new look and feel.
“Big Sur introduces a beautiful redesign and is packed with new enhancements for key apps including Safari, Messages, and Maps, as well as new privacy features,” the Apple announcement notes. “And Big Sur has been engineered … to take full advantage of all the power of the M1 chip to make the macOS experience even better for the new 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini. The combination of Big Sur and M1 truly takes the Mac to a whole new level with incredible capabilities, efficiency, and more apps than ever before, while maintaining everything users love about macOS.”
The most obvious change in the new version is, of course, the colorful and consistent new look and feel, which Apple says feels both focused and familiar. It includes a new Control Center that’s modeled after the version in iOS, an updated Notification Center, and other upgrades.
The new macOS also includes updated versions of the Safari web browser, Messages, and Apple Maps, and significant privacy enhancements. And under the covers, macOS Big Sur provides developers with their first chance to create apps that run on both Intel- and M1-based Macs. Developers can also bring their iPhone and iPad apps to the Mac with Big Sur, the company notes.
macOS Big Sur is available now for free to existing users on supported Macs. You can learn more at the Apple website.