Apple Announces OS X El Capitan With Split View, Contextual Spotlight, Updated Apps and More, Launches in Fall

Monday June 8, 2015 11:17 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today announced OS X 10.11 El Capitan, the latest version of its Mac operating system. OS X El Capitan features new versions of multiple stock apps, including Safari, Mail and Notes, improved Spotlight search with natural language enhancements and contextually aware results, Metal for Mac and other features and refinements that Apple introduced during its WWDC keynote in San Francisco.

OS X El Capitan
  • Safari: A new pinned feature enables users to keep websites listed at the top of Safari, similar to a bookmarks bar. The browser also gains a universal mute feature that allows users to mute a website that is playing music, even with several tabs open.

  • Mail: The new Mail app features enhancements to its full-screen mode, tabs in the compose window, the ability to hide in-progress messages and go back to the main Inbox. There are also new gestures built into Mail for archiving and deleting -- simply swipe on the trackpad.

  • Spotlight: Apple has significantly improved Spotlight search in OS X El Capitan with natural language enhancements and contextually aware search results. "Get Mail from Brian about El Cap," for example.

  • Metal for Mac: Metal for Mac has arrived, combining the computing power of OpenCL and graphics power of OpenGL into a new API that does both. 50% improvements in rendering with 40% less CPU processing power required for graphics. Metal on OS X El Capitan offers better battery life and improved graphics performance for both games and professional apps.

    OS X 10.11 El Capitan is available to registered developers beginning today. It will be available in public beta in July and will publicly launch in the fall as a free software update for supported Macs.

    We've created a new dedicated forum for OS X 10.11 El Capitan on the MacRumors forums, where you can discuss the new changes and features and learn new details about the upcoming update.

    Tags: WWDC 2015, OS X El Capitan
    • [ 355 comments ]

    Top Rated Comments

    (View all)

    Avatar
    edgonzalez32
    58 months ago
    Stupid ass name to be honest.
    Rating: 37 Votes
    Avatar
    KPOM
    58 months ago
    "Snow Yosemite."
    Rating: 27 Votes
    Avatar
    Planey28
    58 months ago

    Hello 'Yosemite 2' I will be sticking with Mavericks for another year then.


    It's not even out yet, and the focus is on stability and performance. Maybe wait until September to reserve your judgment.
    Rating: 20 Votes
    Avatar
    Meister
    58 months ago
    Let's hope they manage the UI lag this time.
    Rating: 13 Votes
    Avatar
    jcmeyer5
    58 months ago
    Really dumb name. I am going to stick with Mavericks until it is proven to not be a total f-up like Yosemite.
    Rating: 13 Votes
    Avatar
    Icaras
    58 months ago

    I wonder if Safari is mas rápido.


    You mean "mas snáppido".
    Rating: 12 Votes
    Avatar
    NT1440
    58 months ago

    Well that snap view totally wasn't copied from Windows 8 /s

    Do you mean Windows 7? I've been using BetterTouch Tool for window snapping for years.
    Rating: 12 Votes
    Avatar
    Simplicated
    58 months ago

    Out of all things in California, really?


    Really dumb name. I am going to stick with Mavericks until it is proven to not be a total f-up like Yosemite.


    I love how MacRumors always finds a way to bitch about something as trivial as a name.
    Rating: 12 Votes
    Avatar
    aranshaw
    58 months ago
    Well that snap view totally wasn't copied from Windows 8 /s
    Rating: 11 Votes
    Avatar
    Yamcha
    58 months ago
    Clearly the snap feature is from Windows 7, but I'm actually glad It's finally here. It's a feature I've been long waiting for..
    Rating: 11 Votes

    [ Read All Comments ]