Apple macOS Big Sur now official

Apple has just launched the macOS Big Sur update for its line up of Macs.

The macOS BigSur has a number of new features, including:
• Streamlined apps – clean new app design with full-height sidebars and refreshed toolbars
• Refreshed dock – updates the design for the app icons
• Control Center for Mac – instant access for basic controls like display brightness, volume, music playback, and more. Functions can be customized by the user by dragging to the menu bar.
• Notification Center – views notifications and widgets in one place. It now has a simplified design and comes with redesigned widgets.

• Safari – made more intuitive, the web browser now allows users to set a background image and content sections on the home page. It now has an improved Tab design which displays more tabs on the screen, Safari extensions in the App Store, data breach password monitoring, built-in webpage translation between seven languages, and weekly Privacy Report for protecting browsing activity. It shows favicon by default, provides a preview of a webpage by hovering the over the tab, and increased performance and power efficiency.

• Messages – pins conversation at the top of the conversations list, syncing of all pinned messages across Apple mobile devices, adds inline replies, sets a photo, or an emoji for group conversations, creates and customizes Memoji and Memoji stickers, shares GIFs and images through #images, and new message animations. It also comes with an optimized Search function for finding links, photos, and terms in the conversation.
• Maps – offers cycling directions along bike lanes, bike paths, and bike-friendly roads; adds charging stops based on current vehicle charge and charger types in electric vehicle routing, gives curated Guides for discovering must-visit places and restaurants, explore cities in 3D, and includes indoor maps for airports and malls.
• App Privacy – previews a summary of the privacy practices of each app.
• Developer Tools – developers can write entire apps with shared code across all Apple platforms via SwiftUI, brings iPad apps to the Mac via Mac Catalyst.
• Listen Now – houses Apple Music, features new releases, artist interviews, and playlists.
• Family Sharing – shares in-app purchases and subscriptions.

Other improvements include expanded editing tools in Photos, automatic device switching for Airpods, Face Recognition and Activity Zones for HomeKit Secure Video, broader knowledge for Siri, and faster updates.

MacBooks compatible with the macOS Big Sur include:
• MacBook (2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (2013 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
• Mac mini (2014 or newer)
• iMac (2014 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017 or newer)
• Mac Pro (2013 or newer)

The developer beta of macOS Big Sur is available to Apple Developer Program members at this site. The public beta will be available next month via beta.apple.com. Note that some features may vary in regions.