I own a Mac device and I currently have macOS High Sierra on it. I check out Apple’s news to know if there are new updates to the macOS. Luckily, I recently read that a new version was released, version 10.14 or more popularly known as Mojave. So what’s up with this new operating system of Mac?
~Anonymous Mac Device User
Part I: IntroductionPart II: Mojave Release. Updates, And Latest VersionsPart III: What’s New Within Mac OS 10.14 MojavePart IV: What’s New Within Mac OS 10.14 Mojave: New Applications And Application UpdatesPart V: System Requirements Of macOS MojavePart VI: Conclusion
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Part I: Introduction
Tim Cook is currently Apple’s CEO and with regards to the new operating system of Mac, he stated that macOS Mojave is filled with new features that were inspired by Professional users. But, he added, the operating system is still designed for everybody. He even stated that the macOS Mojave is a huge forward leap.
Mojave was introduced last September 24, 2018. With this introduction comes users who will experience a whole new set of features including Dynamic Desktop, Dark Mode, Desktop Stacks, a fresh News application, new methods of taking screenshots, and an App Store for Mac that is redesigned.
In this article, we’ll take you into the various new features you can experience with the Mojave. Plus, we will include the system requirements of the said macOS for you to know if it is compatible with your device.
You will also find information regarding problems people find with the macOS Mojave including incompatible software and vulnerabilities. That’s why if you’re excited about this new operating system, try to read the rest of this article.
Part II: Mojave Release. Updates, And Latest Versions
macOS Mojave was released on Monday at the exact date of September 24, 2018. This latest version is labeled 10.14 Mojave. There are no updates at the moment. However, it is highly likely that Apple will release an update because of the news that the said macOS has a vulnerability.
This upcoming update will be initially provided to people who are signed up for the beta program of Apple. They run their own beta program for Apple’s new versions of its operating systems.
Plus, they also release various public and developer versions of the beta version of the Mojave before the actual final version of the operating system was launched.
Apple will still provide updates that will target the flaws of Mojave and add more new features while still running the modifications to that of the beta testers beforehand.
A feature that will be coming to Mojave soon is Group FaceTime - this feature has taken off from Mojave’s earlier betas. According to Apple, Group FaceTime will be available at some time this autumn. The Group FaceTime feature will allow conference calls for about 32 participants who utilize iOS devices operating at least iOS 12.
In order to update Mac devices, users should go to their System Preferences. After which, they should visit Software Update. This is, as opposed to, visiting Apple Menu and going to Software Updates.
Part III: What’s New Within Mac OS 10.14 Mojave
A lot of new features will come up with this version of the macOS. More specifically, Apple seems to have put its focus on improving QuickLook and Finder. Although there are other features aside from these. Let’s start with Dark Mode first.
Dark Mode
A Dark Mode feature of macOS Mojave is not really that new. There’s something similar to the Dark Mode with that of OS X El Capitan. However, there’s something new about it, the Dock and menu bar’s appearance.
A mode called Night Shift is also available. With this mode, colors are toned down. Plus, the light that keeps you awake-- the blue one-- was removed. However, there’s something new about Mojave’s Dark Mode and everybody has been waiting for it.
In High Sierra, there’s a Dark Mode but it’s still a bit unofficial, to say the least. With this “unofficial” mode, only the dock’s and menu bar’s colors have been changed.
The dock usually has a translucent background. With the Dark Mode, this translucent background becomes darker. The drop-down menus of the menu bar become darker as well. Although, it still is translucent.
Not every 3rd party application out there supports the Dark Mode’s menu bar which is darker in color. Even applications from Apple (e.g. Safari) feature, at present, a sidebar that is bright and translucent.
Mojave’s Dark Mode will be put into application into the interface’ every element, within each and every application, and even system-wide. The Mac user can have the option to turn it off or on.
According to Craig Federighi of Apple, the dark mode will extend to that of the chrome and the windows. He also stated that Mojave’s Dark Mode is great for those who love to work in a dark environment. He also stated that it’s great for photography as well.
Desktop
There are new things that people will discover when it comes to the Desktop once they’ve got their hands on macOS Mojave. One such change is called Desktop Stacks. This new feature helps users in keeping their Mac devices’ Desktops free of clutter.
Do you usually put everything on your Desktop? Well, your Desktop might be filled with files, folders, images, and videos you forgot to save a few months back. Is there even enough room for one more icon in it? Apple helps us in keeping our Desktop become organized with this new feature.
Let’s put image files as an example. Within this new operating system, images will be together within a stack. So, you can easily find the things you need. At least, that should be the case. Apple created this feature to make everything more organized. And once you get to experience it firsthand, you’ll know if it’s actually the case for you.
When it comes to your Mac device’ Desktop, Apple also introduced Dynamic Desktop, a feature that’s kind of amazing. With Dynamic Desktop, your screen’s backdrop will change all throughout the entire day. The most appropriate backdrop will be presented to you. For example, an evening screen will be shown during the evening.
Quick Look, Markup, And Finder
Finder is the file manager of Apple by default. With Mojave, the Finder is getting some new updates. A new view is added within Finder--the Gallery view. This view gives users previews with an image.
Included with this preview are details (e.g. metadata) which are located towards a sidebar. Before, you could only view items within Finder as small icons.
Or you can view them within a list, within columns, or even as Cover Flow. The Gallery view looks like a modification of the view Cover Flow.
The Finder view actually gives you a whole lot more than a simple preview of the document, picture, or any file type you wish to find.
Apple has made refinements to the Markup Tools that are available currently in Preview and added these to QuickLook.
Thus, you are given the ability to preview (or take a Quick Look) a PDF file, for example, and by utilizing that Markup tools you can simply add your own signature to the PDF file without the need to launch the Preview application.
Plus, you can use a variety of tools and take advantage of them, especially when checking out images. Apple has shown a demonstration of some of the quick actions you can undertake on your photo in the course of the WWDC keynote.
One example would be the ability to crop or rotate a specific image from within the Finder. QuickLook even gives you the ability to trim videos within it.
Screenshots
Another important modification within Mojave is that of the screenshots. With the Mojave, taking your own screenshots will be similar to that doing so with iOS devices.
A small thumbnail will be displayed on the screen’s right side when you capture a screenshot. You can also have quick access to the tools in order to edit the screenshot within the Preview. For example, you can crop or rotate it as you wish.
The company will also add a tool that will allow you to screen-capture videos. This is currently available, through the QuickTime application. That’s why the process is going to be simpler and easier.
APFS Within That Of Fusion Drives
With the macOS High Sierra, a new system for files was introduced - the APFS. The said type of file system made file duplication instantaneous.
Finding the size of a specific folder is made quickly as well. It offers encryption that is built in. Plus, it allows you to save more space. However, with the macOS High Sierra, APFS is not still available with that of Fusion Drives.
Now, with the next macOS version, hard drives, and Fusion Drives will have the APFS. Craig Federighi of Apple confirmed that they are addressing this question (of AFPS being available in that of Fusion Drives) very soon.
Part IV: What’s New Within Mac OS 10.14 Mojave: New Applications And Application Updates
When Apple makes a new version of its operating system, it usually modifies its existing applications. Sometimes, it even adds new ones. This year has been very much like this.
News Application
Coming to your Mac device and its new operating system is the News app. The news will contain various stories you can actually read on your iOS device. These include Trending Stories, Top Stories, and a personalized section as well. A certain sidebar will give you the ability to jump right into the various channels you currently follow.
Apple seems to be doing a lot in order to trump Google when it comes to news delivery. Plus, the screenshots of the Dark Mode that was leaked showing a News application icon within the Dock. That’s why the News app is not actually a surprise.
Voice Memos
Voice Memos, a very popular application within iPhones, is actually being brought to that of Mac devices. One benefit to this is being able to take a recording on your Mac device. But the real benefit here is that recording on your iPhones can be listened to and even edited within your Mac device.
Home
The Home application is also being brought to Mac devices. With these, users are given the ability to monitor their various gadgets such as thermostats, and video cameras, among others. Plus, they’ll have the ability to control various devices by utilizing Siri as their voice assistant.
Safari
In 2017, Safari underwent a lot of big updates especially when it comes to privacy. They had troublesome ads removed. The same is true for the auto-playing of videos. Safari is now becoming a great challenge for a lot of advertisers in 2018.
This is because Apple will make deactivating cookies easier for users. According to Apple, they will shut down cookies that are able to track the user in between websites.
According to Apple, it will be harder to track users from their Macs. It will make data company's jobs harder when it comes to identifying the unique user device and tracking it.
How will they do it? Well, they will make sure that your Mac device will look like everyone else’s.
Mac App Store
The App Store of Mac will be having a makeover. Apple has stated that it has been redesigned. A new user interface is an app. Videos will be showcasing various applications with that of autoplay. Thus, potential buyers will have the ability to check out the app’s capabilities before they even purchase or download it for free.
Tutorials can even be viewed from within the App Store of Mac. Plus, Apple has very high hopes for that of their App Store. They stated that it will inspire next-gen apps. This might mean that their fully functional, unique App Store will push more app makes to meet the growing needs of the savvy consumer base.
The Mac And The iOS
Apple is formulating new ways where users can use their iOS devices while they are working on their Mac devices. Plus, developers are given a preview of amazing modifications made that will allow porting of iOS applications to Mac devices easier.
Apple’s Craig Federighi stated that Mac users will have their iPhones as a great tool for capturing content. This can be done while these users are even working using their Mac devices.
One example would be this: If you simply want to add a specific image to your document on a Mac device, you can simply select the iPhone as the device used for capturing the image.
At this point, your iPhone’s camera would capture the image automatically. The same goes if you want to scan a specific document. The scan or the photograph will immediately go to that of your document within the Mac device.
There are a lot of new things coming to the new operating system of Mac. One would be the merging of both the macOS and iOS.
Apple stated in their keynote that it would now be easier to port an application from that iOS to the Mac. The said rumors are becoming real, apparently.
However, there are some statements from Apple’s official representatives that discourages the rumor of the merging of the two different operating systems. However, some people are still hopeful about it and would love for it to become a reality.
Part V: System Requirements Of macOS Mojave
Before the announcement was made, a lot of people knew that macOS’ next version would not support apps in 32 bit. That’s why a lot of Mac models wouldn’t be supported by that macOS Mojave as well. Well, another clue that a lot of Mac models won’t support macOS Mojave was that of Metal. A lot of people expected that Macs that don’t support Metal wouldn’t be able to support versions of the operating system after macOS High Sierra.
Well, the predictions are actually correct. The following Mac devices are the only ones that can support Mojave:
* Models of iMac from that of 2012 and higher.
* iMac Pro starting from that of 2017.
* Models of the MacBook from that 2015 and up.
* Models of the MacBook Pro from that 2012 and up.
* Models of the MacBook Air from that 2012 and up.
* Models of the Mac mini from that 2012 and up.
* Models of the Mac Pro from late 2013. However, those models within the mid-2010s or even mid-2012s have recommended GPUs that are Metal-capable.
It is highly recommended that in order for you to have a clean installation of the macOS Mojave, it’s best to use TechyCub’s Mac Cleaner first.
In this way, you get a new macOS Mojave without having to worry about the troubles that are associated if you install it on a messy Mac.
Part VI: Conclusion
There are a lot of things that came up with the new macOS Mojave. Apple has lived up to its name of being a great operating system creator.
Plus, with the new features of the Mojave, what’s there that’s not to love? With this guide up here, you can check out what you need to know about the Mojave.
Plus, our final section on the system requirements of the macOS Mojave will help you know if your Mac device is compatible with the said operating system or not.
Plus, if it is compatible, you should use TechyCub’s Mac Cleaner to help you have a clean install of the operating system and be able to maintain it properly once you have it.
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