The new macOS update is coming: Mojave will be released in the fall, a year away from High Sierra.
Although the attentions seem to be all aimed at the new iOS 12, in fact, Apple has announced a substantial update also with regard to the OS of iMac and MacBook. Many of the new features, such as Dark Mode and Finder Enhancement, are geared towards the most loyal and long-lived core of Apple users, professionals in the creative industries.
Here are all the news on the public beta of Mojave so you can decide whether to try it or not.
Dark mode
The first major highlight is the dark mode, especially useful for users who use the Mac to work, but also for anyone who spends a lot of time in front of the screen. This feature finally offers a change in graphics, which has remained the same for many of the previous updates.
Activating this mode folders and apps such as Mail, Contacts and Calendar will be presented in inverted colors, with white lettering on a dark background. Even the menus and the borders will change color, so that the eyes get tired, especially in the dark.
The default desktop background will also change to gray, while the dynamic background will change based on the time of day.
This mode has the defect of not making changes to backgrounds that are not the default and is not consistent once activated: for example on Safari changes borders and menus but not the content of the pages, which will continue to be the same, often with background White.
Being a beta it is not surprising that third-party apps are not yet compatible. Apple has stated that it will be easy for third-party developers to adopt the new design in anticipation of the official launch, but there is no guarantee that they will.
Finder and new Gallery view
The new Gallery view is useful for working on images and videos, especially large ones. It allows you to scroll through the previews of the files, which are in excellent definition and provide a certain amount of information, such as size, resolution and color profile, to make it easier to search for the file to open.
Also from the Finder, moreover, it is possible to make quick actions. By clicking on the lower right corner the images and PDFs can be rotated or edited and the audio or video clips cut without having to open them on the app.
Screen snapshots
The screenshot function has been modified to offer more options: for example, you can record what happens on the screen, even by setting a timer to start. The snapshot or video can also be shared directly or, by dragging them, saved in the desired folder.
Continuity for photos and group FaceTime
On Mojave you can use the iPhone as a surrogate camera or to immediately transfer a photo to your desktop. The function can be activated by Mail, Notes and many other apps.
Also here, as on iOS 12, Group FaceTime will be available, which will allow users to perform group calls and videocalls up to a maximum of 32 participants.
App from iOS and security
Although Apple has denied the chat merger between iOS and MacOS, on Mojave have actually been imported app, Home and Memo Vocal among all.
The first allows you to control from the Mac the operation of accessories compatible with HomeKit, to turn on the lights or control the baby monitor. The second one makes it easier to make recordings, such as university lessons or interviews.
As for the security and personal data of users, however, Apple takes another step forward.
A new Safari feature prevents social media buttons from tracking users without their permission and will require user authorization for apps to access a camera or microphone.
The browser will also report the passwords used to access multiple services, so as to better protect all accounts.
Read also Google: 5 alternative search engines (that protect privacy)
Mojave 10.14: Should you update?
Apart from some functions that could be very useful for certain professions, such as the new features of the Finder, for now the update to the beta does not bring great benefits.
Some features, such as dark mode, are quite limited and will remain until the launch in the fall, others, such as the use of apps, can be replaced temporarily with other Apple devices waiting for the bugs to be fixed.
Mojave 10.14 can be installed on:
- MacBook (from 2015 onwards)
- MacBook Air (from 2012 onwards)
- MacBook Pro (from 2012 onwards)
- Mac mini (from end 2012 onwards)
- iMac (from end 2012 onwards)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (from the end of 2013, but also the 2010 and 2012 models with adequate GPUs)
For those who want to, the installation can be performed by following the procedure on the official website, following the same instructions and recommendations related to the installation of the iOS 12 beta.