Apple is moving out of the deserts of macOS Mojave and onto the island of Catalina for the release of macOS 10.15.
macOS Catalina is one of the most important updates for the Mac in years. It packs tons of new features focused on privacy, accessibility and performance while also delivering some fresh UI changes and new apps.
iTunes is dead
Apple Music, Apple Podcast and Apple TV are replacing iTunes. The new Music app packs all the powerful iTunes music features while still being fast. With the Podcasts app you get a lot of the same stuff from the iOS version. There’s a search bar on the side that can help you find specific episodes of shows.
Apple TV for Mac is also very similar to the iOS version. It also brings support for 4K HDR playback on the Mac and Dolby Atmos sound.
Project Catalyst
Apple is trying to get more apps on the Mac by making it easier for developers to port their iPad apps over to the Mac. Some of Apple’s own Mac apps have been based on Project Catalyst technology, but now third-party developers are getting access to it. XCode automatically builds in a lot of the features so developers can focus on the smaller features.
Sidecar
Photo: Cult of Mac
With macOS 10.15 and iOS 13 Apple is adding the ability to use an iPad as the secondary display on the Mac. iPad and Apple Pencil can be used for input on apps too.
Voice Control
Apple is making it possible to completely control your Mac or iPhone just with your device. It’s a whole new way to do everything. Voice Control can be used to open apps, send messages, write, scroll through photos and so much more.
Find My
Apple combined Find My iPhone with Find My Friends. It’s available on Mac and iOS. Even devices that are offline can be found using Bluetooth beacons that are relayed through other Apple devices that are online. If your Mac has a T2 security chip it is getting Activation Lock too to protect it from thieves.
New Reminders app
A lot of the changes that Apple made on its new Reminders app for iOS are making their way to the Mac too.
