macOS 27 will be unveiled on Monday at WWDC, and rumors indicate the update will grant two wishes that longtime Mac users especially have been wanting.
#1: Snow Leopard-style focus on software quality
One of the most beloved Mac software releases is 2009’s Snow Leopard, which was famously marketed as having “no new features.” Instead, it prioritized bug fixes and performance improvements.
Snow Leopard did have a few new features, but the list was short. And rumors indicate macOS 27 could be very reminiscent of that fan-favorite update.
Last November, Mark Gurman reported that Apple’s focus for iOS 27 and companion updates is on “improving the software’s quality and underlying performance.” Thus making them “Snow Leopard-style” updates.
macOS Tahoe hasn’t been the most popular among longtime Mac users. In part due to Liquid Glass shortcomings, but also because of concerns around software quality.
Since that report last fall, Gurman has detailed many new features coming in Apple’s new software—thus making the initial promise of being “Snow Leopard-style” ring a little hollow.
But just today, in his WWDC preview, Gurman had this note that could excite longtime Mac users:
The macOS 27 update will be especially Snow Leopard-like and include performance improvements aimed at making Macs with Apple-designed chips feel faster.
While Apple is expected to boost performance across all its updates, it seems special care has been put into ensuring that macOS 27 feels especially Snow Leopard-like.
If you’re most excited by new features, that may not be what you want to hear. But for Mac users concerned about bugs and quality, it’s very good news.
#2: Liquid Glass fixes and refinements
Besides overall software quality, another concern among Mac users this past year centers on Liquid Glass.
Whereas Liquid Glass has been fairly well received on iPhone, iPad, and Apple’s other platforms, it’s been less popular on the Mac.
Top comment by Daniel Dacey
I would be happy to see a feature complete OS released on day one - you know like how it was before having a rolling alpha release was considered normal in the Apple world. Downvote away Apple fans, but to use an analogy I dont go into a showroom and buy a car with three wheels and a promise the fourth one will be along in six months as an update. If you say its got a feature in the OS, that should be present day one of the release.
Mark Gurman has reported that macOS Tahoe doesn’t represent Apple’s original vision for Liquid Glass on the Mac. He says due to time constraints it’s a “not-completely-baked implementation.”
But in macOS 27, Apple has reportedly put the extra time in to polish Liquid Glass, updating the design to improve readability by tweaking the use of transparency and shadows.
It won’t be a major redesign, but the refinements should hopefully win over more Mac users.
What’s on your wish list for macOS 27? Let us know in the comments.
Best Mac accessories
- AirPods Pro 3 (now only $199, down from $249)
- 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter
- tomtoc protective MacBook sleeve bag
- Twelve South aluminum laptop stand for MacBooks
- Anker Docking Station USB-C with Ethernet, HDMI, SD, more
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments