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macOS Big Sur

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macOS Big Sur

The next version of macOS, named Big Sur, was announced at WWDC on June 22nd, 2020. It includes a UI overhaul that brings it closer to iOS in style. Many buttons are now chromeless and highlight as you mouseover. There is a lot more translucency, and app icons in the Dock now look similar their iOS counterparts too.

macOS Big Sur Features

macOS Big Sur also brings Control Center to the macOS for the first time with quick access to brightness and other quick toggles.

The Notification Center in macOS is now up-to-date with the iOS version, featuring grouping and rich interface styles. The iOS 14 widget system is also available on macOS.

The Messages app for Mac has also been revamped with an inline photo picker and Memoji. The Apple Maps app has also been modernized, now as a  Catalyst app so it shares the same codebase with iOS.

Compatible Macs

Here’s the full list of macOS 11 Big Sur compatible Macs:

  • 2015 and later MacBook
  • 2013 and later MacBook Air
  • 2013 and later MacBook Pro
  • 2014 and later Mac mini
  • 2014 and later iMac
  • 2017 and later iMac Pro
  • 2013 and later Mac Pro

macOS Big Sur Release Date

A developer beta is available now, public beta in July, with the general release in the fall.

Apple releases macOS 11.3 beta 2 for developers

macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta 2

Apple has seeded developers with the macOS 11.3 beta 2 today. We got the first 11.3 beta build two weeks ago that included a variety of changes and new features like sorting in the Reminders app, Safari customizations, improved support for stereo HomePods and more. Beta 2 brings new features like Apple Music Autoplay and a new Mac warranty feature.

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Apple fixes bug that let users begin macOS Big Sur installation without enough space available

Mac: How to install macOS Big Sur

It was reported last week that macOS Big Sur has a serious issue that can result in data loss when users try to upgrade a Mac to the latest version of the operating system without enough space available. Apple has finally fixed the issue with a new build of macOS Big Sur 11.2.1, which properly checks if the disk has the required space before starting the upgrade process.

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Apple once again starts blocking M1 Mac users from side loading iPhone and iPad apps

9to5Mac reported last month that Apple was implementing a new method to stop users from sideloading unsupported iOS apps on M1 Macs, which was actually enabled for some time with a server-side change and then reversed moments later. Following the macOS Big Sur 11.2 release last week, Apple seems to have officially blocked the side load process of iOS apps on M1 Macs.

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PSA: Upgrading a Mac to macOS Big Sur without enough space can result in data loss

macOS Big Sur

macOS Big Sur was officially released for all users in November last year, and since then Apple has released updates with bug fixes and overall improvements. However, as reported by Mr. Macintosh, Big Sur still has a serious issue that can result in data loss when users try to upgrade a Mac to the latest version of the operating system without enough space available.

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Hands-on: macOS 11.3 beta 1 changes and features [Video]

Yesterday Apple released a huge new macOS Big Sur 11.3 developer beta to Mac users. The update brings some long-awaited new features to the table, such as the ability to set a HomePod stereo pair as the global default sound output option. In addition, the beta adds changes already implemented in the earlier release of iOS 14.5 beta for iOS devices, such as a new Made For You section in the Music app, and updates to sorting options in the Reminders app. Watch our hands-on video walkthrough as we showcase macOS 11.3 beta 1 changes and features.

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Safari on Mac will soon let you customize and override new window or tab page with extensions

Set custom Safari backgrounds Mac walkthrough 3

Among all the new features included with macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta 1, which was released today for developers, Apple mentioned that Safari will have more customization options. Although the company didn’t clarify what exactly will change, 9to5Mac now found out that the default macOS web browser will have the option to override a new window or tab page with extensions.

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Apple adding support for stereo-paired HomePods as default sound output with macOS 11.3 beta

Users can already pair two HomePods in stereo mode and set them as audio output on iPhone, iPad, and even Apple TV. However, using a stereo pair of HomePods on a Mac is not that easy. macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta, which was released today for developers, finally adds an option to set stereo-paired HomePods as the default sound output on Mac.

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macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta brings new Support menu with details on warranty coverage and AppleCare

Apple today released the first beta of macOS Big Sur 11.3 to developers, which comes with some of the new features of iOS 14.5 beta and also with general improvements. However, 9to5Mac has found that the upcoming macOS Big Sur update also brings a new Support menu with more details on Apple’s 1-year limited warranty coverage and AppleCare.

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What’s new in macOS 11.3? Sorting in Reminders app, Safari customizations, more [U]

macOS Big Sur

Apple has released the first beta of macOS 11.3 to developers today and the latest Big Sur software comes with a number of new features and changes. Headlining the improvements is more customization options in Safari, sorting options in the Reminders app, iPhone/iPad apps preference panes for keyboard touch alts, support for the latest Xbox/Playstation controllers, and more.

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