MacOS has had a long history, stretching back to 1984 with the original classic operating system.
It set a new standard for computing by popularizing the graphical user interface
and mouse. Since that initial release, macOS has gone through many iterations,
but this video isn’t about the operating system’s history, that’ll be for another time.
Today, I’m going to explain the significance of the most recent macOS version called Big Sur,
to be released sometime this fall. It marks a completely new era for the Mac, and lays
the groundwork for future models featuring Apple’s custom-designed ARM processors that
could completely change the way Macs are used. This is Greg with Apple Explained, and I want to
thank MacPaw for sponsoring this video. If you’d like to help decide which topics I cover, make
sure you’re subscribed and voting polls like this one will show up in your mobile activity feed.
Now in 2001 Steve Jobs introduced Mac OS X and told us it would serve as the Mac’s operating
system for the next two decades. And he was pretty much spot on. Mac OS X ended up featuring sixteen
different iterations over the span of nineteen years. The last being Mac OS 10.15 Catalina in
2019. So the big question on everyone’s mind was, what comes next? If Apple created a Mac OS 11,
what groundbreaking changes would be made to begin a completely new era for the Mac?
Well, there are quite a few new additions to Big Sur that not only help modernize the Mac,
but redefine its position in Apple’s ecosystem.
The first, being its interface. With the growing popularity of mobile devices like the iPhone and
iPad, Apple began borrowing elements of the iOS interface as far back as 2014 with macOS Yosemite.
It replaced skeuomorphic design elements with flat ones, featured translucent windows and
blur effects to establish depth, and even had a thinner system typeface just like iOS 7. But
the iOS elements adopted by Yosemite were largely cosmetic. It still functioned like
a traditional Mac, which was a much different experience than a touch-based iPhone or iPad.
But take a look at what’s happening with Big Sur. Sure, it features the biggest user interface
overhaul since the original version of Mac OS X. But this new look isn’t superficial. The reason
why Apple had to change the design of Big Sur, is because of their changes to functionality.
Control center was added, which changes the way users interact with their menu bar. Notification
Center was updated, giving it the same exact functionality and appearance as on iOS and iPadOS.
And look at the new window design of something like Finder, which looks strikingly similar to
the Files app from iPadOS 14. But this is only the beginning. The shape of almost every icon in Big
Sur has been changed to a rounded square, just like what you’d find on iOS. And Apple has even
made it possible to run iOS apps on their upcoming ARM Macs, without developers having to do any
extra work. And that may sound familiar, because that’s exactly what happened when the original
iPad was released. Sure, developers could optimize their apps to take advantage of the device’s
larger display, but they didn’t have to, since the iPad was compatible with every single iPhone app.
And consider how the iPad has changed over the last decade. Initially, it was just an oversized
iPod that ran the same operating system as every other iOS device. But eventually it
received so many exclusive features optimized for its larger form factor, that Apple had to
differentiate the iPad’s operating system from the iPhone. That’s why today we have iOS and iPadOS.
But when it comes to the Mac, I think the reverse will happen. Apple will continue aligning it
closer to iPadOS over the coming years, so that users can jump between their iPhones and Macs
with the same continuity and seamlessness as switching between their iPhones and iPads.
But one issue Mac users still have today, is running out of storage space. which is why
I recommend using CleanMyMac X to clear out old clutter and prepare it for new macOS releases like
Big Sur coming this fall. Macs do accumulate junk files that you may’ve only needed temporarily,
but permanently take up space. Thats why I run a smart scan on my MacBook Pro every week which
removes about 10GB of clutter every time. It also helps you view and manage application permissions,
scans your system to identify and remove any malware, and gives you an overview of what files
and applications are taking up the most space, so you can easily remove large files you don’t need.
You can try out CleanMyMacX for free using the link in the description
and if you like the product, the upgrade is only $35 annually.
Now I should mention that Apple began implementing features like Game Center and iMessage from iOS
into macOS back in 2012 with Mountain Lion. In fact, those actions over the years have led to
speculation that Apple may merge their operating systems into one, which would run on all iPhones,
iPads, and Macs. But this would never happen. And the reason why is more clear today than
back in 2012 since we have products like the Apple Watch and Apple TV. We would never expect
iOS to run on the Apple Watch, since its display is way too small for that interface.
Nor would we expect iOS to run on Apple TV, since it’s not optimized for a remote. And that’s the
same reason why a separate mobile operating system was created for the iPhone in 2007.
Apple knew they couldn’t shoehorn a cursor-based OS into a tiny smartphone
and deliver a satisfactory experience. And they won’t start today. Each product in Apple’s lineup
has a different form factor, and therefore requires its own optimized operating system.
The question many people are asking is, will the Mac’s form factor change
once they’re running Apple’s custom ARM processor. And the answer is, yes, but in a way
that improves the computer experience. Rather than completely changing what a computer is.
For example, users love the quiet, cool experience they get with fan-less iPads and iPhones.
And with Macs running on ARM, Apple could likely remove their fans entirely, offering users a much
more satisfying experience. People also love the all-day battery life of their iPhone and iPad,
but Macs have always struggled to deliver comparable battery performance
due to the power demands of Intel’s processors. So the Mac will still be a traditional computer
with a trackpad keyboard, without a multi-touch display. That’s why it’ll still require its own
optimized operating system to deliver the best experience possible in that form factor.
But that doesn’t mean elements can’t be borrowed between products if it makes sense.
For example, the larger buttons in macOS Big Sur doesn’t necessarily mean the next
Mac will have a touch display, it could be there to simply reduce mis-clicks.
Or to prepare for a new circular cursor, like the one found on iPad.
After all, Apple loves to keep the appearance and functionality between their products consistent.
A big reason why iPad was so popular, was that it looked and worked exactly like the iPhone,
which many people already had. And the Apple Watch featured an operating system that was
essentially a miniature version of iOS. So it too was easily understood by existing Apple users.
But the Mac has always felt a bit out of place. Especially when compared to
other products in Apple’s ecosystem. And I think it’s because the Mac was created long
before the mobile device era. Ever since the iPhone, Apple products like the iPad,
Apple Watch, and Apple TV have been created in its same image. With an iOS-inspired operating system,
a custom ARM chipset, and optimized compatibility. But when it came to the Mac,
it featured an operating system created in 2001, a processor provided by third party
companies like PowerPC and Intel, and a focus on one-way compatibility for devices like the
iPod. Since, during that time, the Mac served as a hub for your mobile devices.
But a lot has changed since then, and I think Big Sur is the beginning of the change Apple
needed to make in order for the Mac to remain a relevant and logical part of their ecosystem.
Alright guys thanks for watching, don’t forget to subscribe to help
decide which topics I cover, and I’ll see you in the next video.