Apple introduces macOS Big Sur bringing a brand new design
Apple has announced the new iteration of its macOS Desktop software.
New Design
macOS Big Sur introduces a brand new design. It retains the menu bar and dock, but the overall feel of the design is a hybrid between iOS and macOS. The icons and glyphs used on iOS and iPad OS has been added to the macOS system too, making the operating systems feel a lot more connected. All apps have received a new design, and the menu bar and menus across the system have been updated with a new design.
Control centre has made its debut on macOS, allowing you to control different elements of the system all in one place.
The notification centre has been revamped with an all-new look, stackable notifications and the new widgets found in the iOS 14 update.
Messages
Messages now has a new search option to search for messages and more. iMessage effects make their debut on the Mac, and all the new iOS 14 Messages enhancements are all coming to macOS.
Maps
Maps has been completely redesigned for the Mac, with a clean new interface. The new map that Apple has been working on will be shown on the Maps app, and all the new features that are coming to iOS 14, are all coming to macOS as well.
Project Catalyst
Developers will be able to enhance their apps to take advantage of the screen resolution of the Mac, meaning the app will work perfectly on iOS and Mac. The new Maps app is the big addition that Apple say made its way to Mac using Catalyst.
Safari
This is the biggest update yet for Safari. It has had a huge performance update, often 50% faster than Chrome when loading a webpage. Safari now offers new ways to view website tracking settings. It comes with a new security score, and helps manage safe passwords and will notify you if a password has been compromised and needs to be changed.
You can choose what sites your Safari extensions can use, and change them on the go.
The UI has had a refresh as well, with a new look for tabs and a new look that matches the rest of the brand new design found in Big Sur.
Safari now has a brand new customizable start page, offering background images, from stock or the photos app. You can add all kinds of different information to the start screen, making it personal and for you.