Apple today seeded the tenth beta of an upcoming macOS Big Sur update to developers for testing purposes, two weeks after releasing the ninth beta and nearly four months after the new update was unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
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The macOS Big Sur beta can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, subsequent betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.
macOS Big Sur introduces a refreshed design to the Mac operating system, overhauling the entire look from the curvature of the window corners to the dock icons to the system sounds. Everything features a lighter and more modern appearance. There's a new customizable Control Center that mirrors the Control Center on iOS devices, putting key system controls right at your fingertips.
The Notification Center has been redesigned with iOS-style widgets that are available in multiple sizes, plus there are more interactive notifications that are now grouped by app to make it easier to see what's going on. Safari is faster and more battery efficient, plus there's a new start page that can be customized with wallpapers and sections that include Reading List and iCloud Tabs, which makes Safari more tailored to your individual usage needs.
Tabs now support webpage previews, there's a built-in language translation feature, Chrome and Firefox Extensions can be ported to Safari, and YouTube supports 4K video playback. There's also an option to choose which sites an extension works with for greater privacy. Speaking of privacy, a new Privacy Report feature lets users know the trackers Safari is blocking when you visit websites.
Messages has been brought in line with the Messages app on iOS with support for pinned conversations, mentions, inline replies, and Memoji creation, plus the built-in search feature has been overhauled to make it easier to find links, photos, and conversations in the app.
Apple redesigned the Maps app to add support for Look Around, indoor maps, and Guides, which are lists of notable attractions, restaurants, and more created by trusted sources. Maps can also be used to generate directions for cycling routes and electric vehicle trips that can be sent to iPhone, and shared ETA updates are now viewable on the Mac.
For more on everything that's new in macOS Big Sur, make sure to check out our roundup.
Update October 15: The update has also been released to members of the public beta program.
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I expect the GM to drop in November when they announce the new Apple Silicon MacsHow far out do you think the GM is? I'm surprised that GM didn't drop yesterday.
over the last few years they have not released a GM Just A GM candidate with still showed beta. I am not one for second guessing apple I'd rather carry on with BETA's till they ge it right Not work to a time tableHow far out do you think the GM is? I'm surprised that GM didn't drop yesterday.
– "AirPod Switching" is LIVE!
Or are these from last version?
I've tested each year, and many years they were dreadful where popular apps didn't work at all or major functionality broke which was aweful (but of course to be expected for a beta). Where this year it's been insanely reliable with the few bugs I've run into and reported have mostly all been cosmetic. Apple gets yelled out from both ends. If they focus some years just on bug fixes and reliability improvements, everyone says apple is doomed, and is boring and can't innovate, etc. On years they focus on new features, people say they shouldn't focus on new stuff until they fix what's broken. So no matter some people will never be happier, but for the rest of us, pretty happy with the balance of new features and bug fixes. Though some ui glitches or little bugs that sometimes I see don't get fixed for several years which is frustrating but I also understand there are probably a million small little things and they have to prioritize.And based on the last beta's, this one will introduce a whole bunch of new ones.
Regression testing isn't exactly a core competency for apple apparently.