APPLE is gearing up to launch some major software upgrades today, including iOS for the iPhone and watchOS for the Apple Watch…. but MacBook and iMac owners will need to wait a little longer to get the latest update, dubbed macOS Catalina.
It’s a big day for Apple with the US firm releasing its new iOS 13 update for iPhones.
This blockbuster upgrade includes new features such as Dark Mode along with improvements to the security and speed of these devices.
However, despite smartphone users getting this swathe of new features the same can’t be said for MacBook and iMac owners.
macOS Catalina was announced at the same time as iOS with the news released during Apple’s WWDC event back in June.
Although some might have been expecting a joint release it seems macOS is still a number of weeks away with Apple currently only confirming that it will arrive this Autumn.
This means if you were hoping to upgrade your iPhone and MacBook simultaneously then you’ll face a disappointing evening.
Hopefully, Apple will reveal more news on Catalina with a release expected soon but as a quick refresh here’s what will be included in the update.
macOS Catalina – New features
Numerous changes are coming in Catalina but perhaps the most exciting is the launch of something Apple is calling Sidecar.
This clever new extra will allow anyone with a Mac and iPad Pro to link the two together with the tablet then working as a second screen.
Sidecar not only gives you more space on your Mac’s display but also offers the ability to seamlessly edit images and graphics, in software such as Adobe Illustrator, using the Apple Pencil.
Another big change coming to your Mac is some new apps.
These will replace the current iTunes software with the US technology firm saying this change will greatly simplify and improve the way Mac users discover and enjoy their favourite music, TV shows, movies and podcasts.
Instead of the iTunes icon appearing in your Dock there will soon be dedicated Music, Apple TV and Apple Podcasts apps.
Other new additions in Catalina include the addition of the Screen Time option which will show how long you’ve been looking at the display and improved security.
Now all Macs with the T2 Security Chip support Activation Lock to make them less attractive to thieves.
And with the new Find My app, the location of a lost or stolen Mac can be securely and anonymously relayed back to its owner by other Apple devices, even when it is offline.
“With macOS Catalina, we’re bringing fresh new apps to the Mac, starting with new standalone versions of Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and the Apple TV app,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.