The next version of macOS will be called Mojave, and could potentially be one of the most significant software updates for the Mac in several years. It will launch with several features, including a gorgeous dark mode, more organizational options, and support for iOS applications.
“macOS Mojave is a major update that introduces powerful new features for a wide range of Mac users, from consumers to pros,” says Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Dark mode brings a dramatic new look to macOS that puts your content front and center, familiar iOS apps come to the Mac for the first time and the redesigned Mac App Store makes finding new apps easier and more enjoyable than ever.”
macOS Mojave users can enable a new Dark Mode to transform their desktop to a darkened color scheme. Apple says that this is to put the focus on user content, allowing controls to recede into the background. Built-in Mac apps like Mail, Messages, Maps, Calendar and Photos all include Dark Mode designs. Apple also announced Dynamic Desktop, a feature that will automatically change the desktop picture to match the time of day. Apple plans to make a Dark Mode API available to developers.
In macOS Mojave, apps from iOS including News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home are now available on the Mac. This is part of Apple’s multi-year initiative to allow third-party developers to port iOS apps into the macOS environment. The Developer Framework will launch in late 2019.
Apple also announced a complete redesign of the Mac App Store. The redesign features a new look and editorial content, similar to the iOS 11 App Store update. Apple has partnered with several software developers, including Microsoft and Adobe, to bring their software back to the Mac App Store.
As always, macOS Mojave will launch this fall. Historically, this has meant sometime in September or October. A developer preview launched yesterday, and a public beta will likely open up later this summer.
You can read the entire macOS Mojave press release here, on Apple’s website.
