Collection: Apple (Mac OS) Operating Software Hierarchy

macOS Ventura (2022)

Ventura is the latest macOS release as of 2022. It is also the most current and currently used OS for mac computers this year

Features and Improvements

• Refreshed design: System Preferences gets a refreshed design that’s easier to navigate and a new name: System Settings.
• Edit a message: You can edit a message for up to 15 minutes after sending it. Recipients will be able to see a record of edits made to the message.
• Passkeys: Passkeys replace passwords with an easier and safer sign‑in method.
• Smart search corrections: Intelligent search improves your results by correcting typos and using synonyms for your search terms.

macOS Ventura makes the things you do most on Mac even better, with powerful new ways to get more done.

macOS Monterey (2021)

Monterey, the latest macOS release as of 2021, further refines the user experience, with more features to improve productivity and enhance device synergy.

Features and Improvements

• Universal Control: Seamlessly work with a single mouse and keyboard across Mac and iPad.
• Shortcuts for Mac: Automate everyday tasks with ease
• AirPlay to Mac: Share and mirror content from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac’s display.
• Focus: Filter notifications to reduce distractions

With Monterey, the integration of the Apple ecosystem took another leap forward, streamlining the experience for users with multiple Apple devices.

macOS Big Sur (2020)

Big Sur was a significant macOS release, introducing a complete redesign and bringing the Mac experience closer to iOS than ever before.

Features and Improvements

• Design Overhaul: A refreshing new design with more intuitive navigation and full-height sidebars.
• Control Center for Mac: Quick access to commonly used settings.
• Notification Center: More interactive notifications and redesigned widgets.
• Safari Enhancements: Greater speed, privacy, and customization.

Big Sur reimagined the macOS experience, making it more intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly.

macOS Catalina (2019)

Catalina took a significant leap forward, notably ending the era of iTunes and introducing users to a more segmented and organized approach for media apps.

Features and Improvements

• iTunes Split: Replaced with three apps: Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts.
• Sidecar: Use your iPad as a second display or a high-precision drawing tablet.
• Screen Time: Insights and controls about your usage across devices.
• Voice Control: Enhanced accessibility with full control of your Mac through voice commands.

Catalina offered improved accessibility and device interoperability, building on Apple’s unified ecosystem vision.

macOS Mojave (2018)

macOS Mojave brought some exciting new features and improvements, with a particular focus on enhancing the user interface.

Features and Improvements

• Dark Mode: A whole new look that’s easy on your eyes and helps you focus on your work.
• Dynamic Desktop: Your desktop picture changes to match the time of the day.
• Stacks: A cleaner desktop with files automatically arranged into related groups.
• Screenshot Utility: Enhanced screenshot tools with screen recording functionality.

Mojave’s features, especially Dark Mode, were widely appreciated, making it a favorite among many Mac users.

macOS High Sierra (2017)

macOS High Sierra was all about under-the-hood refinements, preparing the Mac for future innovation with foundational changes.

Features and Improvements

• Apple File System (APFS): A new, advanced file system for improved speed and efficiency.
• HEVC (H.265) Support: High-Efficiency Video Coding for up to 40% better compression.
• Metal 2: Next-gen graphics technology for better gaming and graphics-intensive applications.

High Sierra might not have had many eye-catching features, but the internal upgrades set the stage for more significant changes down the line.

macOS Sierra (2016)

Signifying a shift in naming conventions to align with its other OS families, macOS Sierra introduced some significant enhancements and ushered in the Siri era for Mac.

Features and Improvements

• Siri on Mac: Your personal assistant now on your Mac, helping with tasks, finding files, answering questions, and more.
• Universal Clipboard: Copy on one Apple device and paste on another – a subtle yet powerful integration.
• Auto Unlock with Apple Watch: Fast, secure access to your Mac when you’re wearing an Apple Watch.
• Apple Pay on the Web: Shopping became easier with Apple Pay now available on Safari.

Sierra was another step forward in creating a seamless experience across Apple devices, thanks to features like Siri and Universal Clipboard.

OS X El Capitan (2015)

Following Yosemite, OS X El Capitan focused on performance enhancements and subtle refinements, taking the foundations laid by Yosemite and fine-tuning them to perfection.

Features and Improvements

• Split View: A godsend for multitaskers, this feature allows you to work on two apps side by side without any distractions
• Mission Control: Simplified view of everything running on your Mac for better organization.
• Improved Spotlight: Became more versatile and intelligent, understanding natural language queries and delivering more useful results.

El Capitan was an example of Apple’s attention to detail, making the macOS experience smoother and more efficient.

OS X Yosemite (2014)

With OS X Yosemite, Apple overhauled the macOS aesthetics, featuring a modern, flat design, and further deepening the connectivity with iOS devices.

Features and Improvements

Continuity and Handoff: These ensured that macOS and iOS worked seamlessly together. Start a task on one device and pick it up on another.

• Instant Hotspot: No Wi-Fi? No problem. Your Mac could now use your iPhone’s internet connection.
• AirDrop: Sharing files between Mac and iOS devices became a breeze.

Yosemite set the standard for future macOS versions by bringing iOS devices and Macs closer than ever before.

OS X Mavericks (2013)

The subsequent year, Apple rolled out OS X Mavericks, focusing on power efficiency and performance improvements to optimize your Mac’s performance.

Features and Improvements

• Timer Coalescing and App Nap: This improved energy efficiency, thereby extending battery life.
• iBooks and Apple Maps for Mac: You could now read books and navigate using Apple Maps directly on your Mac.
• Finder Tabs and Tags: A powerful enhancement, bringing the convenience of tab browsing to Finder and a new way to organize and find your files.

Mavericks significantly enhanced the user experience by making the Mac more powerful and efficient.

OS X Mountain Lion (2012)

In 2012, Apple launched OS X Mountain Lion, a major leap forward in the macOS lineage. Mountain Lion’s standout feature was “integration” as it strived to unify the experience between Macs and the rapidly trending iOS devices.

Features and Improvements

iCloud Integration: The heavy-duty integration with iCloud synced your mail, contacts, calendars, messages, notes, and reminders across devices, solidifying Apple’s commitment to a seamless, unified user experience.

• iMessage: Mountain Lion replaced third-party apps with iMessage, enabling users to message from their Mac to anyone with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
• Notification Center: Inspired by iOS, the Notification Center brought all your alerts and notifications in one place.
• Power Nap: This feature keeps your Mac updated even in sleep mode.
• AirPlay Mirroring: This allows you to project your Mac’s display wirelessly onto an Apple TV, and hence, onto a larger screen.
• Dictation: This pre-Siri feature magically converted your speech into text, providing a new way to interact with your Mac.

Mountain Lion was a bold proclamation from Apple about their ecosystem’s coherency and interconnectedness, leading to a more seamless user experience across devices.