Apple’s latest Operating System, macOS Sierra which is replacing OS X, is finally available for download. The new Operating System bring iOS’s faithful virtual assistant Siri to the desktop. Siri can do the things that she does on the iPhone and iPads, with some Mac-specific capabilities according to reports. In addition to searching the web, drafting messages, checking the weather and stocks, among others, Siri can help Mac users search files, adjust system settings, and inform users about various system information such as local storage space.
The operating system is compatible with MacBooks built in late-2009 or later, MacBook Pros released since mid-2010, and any MacBook Air that hit store shelves in late-2010 or later. On the desktop side, Sierra will run on a Mac Mini as old as the mid-2010 model, as well as any iMac or Mac Pro released since late-2009 and mid-2010, respectively.
Unlike iPhones, Macs do not have Touch IDs, and thus require passwords to be unlocked. Therefore Apple has incorporated a handy Auto Unlock feature in its new OS which gives users the convenience of unlocking their Macs running on Sierra simply by using an Apple watch.
Sierra is the first desktop operating system from Apple to come with its new “macOS” branding. Earlier versions of the software, including last year’s El Capitan, were named OS X. Sierra introduces a pair of very cool new features to iCloud, which don’t just improve the operating system but actually feel as though they’re extending Apple’s hardware. The first of which is the iCloud Drive which can now store the contents of your Desktop and Documents folders and sync them to your other devices, whether Macs, iPhones, or iPads. The second feature being what Apple terms as ‘Optimised Storage’
Here is a small summary on the Pros of the new macOS Sierra 10.12.1
- Adds an automatic smart album in Photos for Depth Effect images taken on iPhone 7 Plus
- Improves the compatibility of Microsoft Office when using iCloud Desktop and Documents
- Fixes an issue that may prevent Mail from updating when using a Microsoft Exchange account
- Fixes an issue that caused text to sometimes paste incorrectly when using Universal Clipboard
- Improves reliability of Auto Unlock with Apple Watch
- Improves security and stability in Safari
Apple’s macOS Sierra is available for download now. Apple released the software to users on Tuesday via its Mac App Store, the built-in application marketplace baked into its OS X operating systems.