Apple has announced macOS 27 Golden Gate, the next version of its desktop operating system. Alongside updates to Apple Intelligence, Siri, search, and parental controls, the new Golden Gate version of macOS brings a global slider to adjust the opacity of Liquid Glass UI effects, with a tighter corner radius of windows to give them a more unified look. And Apple is “reincorporating” previous elements of macOS design, like giving sidebar icons their color back.
Apple announces macOS 27 Golden Gate with Siri AI and revamped Liquid Glass controls
The new OS is ‘faster, smoother, and easier to use.’
The new OS is ‘faster, smoother, and easier to use.’
Image: Apple
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Unlike in past keynotes, Apple didn’t spend much time on macOS-specific updates, instead focusing on cross-platform improvements. Many will be part of macOS 27, including updates to parental controls and Screen Time, a “bold new architecture” for Apple Intelligence, and Siri AI — including a dedicated Siri app.
Golden Gate also brings a rebuilt Search function, which has a new infrastructure to index all content on your device and add new content almost immediately. Search is also improved in Spotlight for Photos and Mail apps. You’ll be able to type Siri AI queries directly into Spotlight and select multiple files to ask Siri about them.
A prerecorded demo during the keynote showed a user selecting multiple PDFs — quotes for shed kits — and asking Siri to compare them with the prompt, “Compare these and help me pick one.” Siri created a comparison table using the information from the files.
Visual Intelligence will be available on macOS 27, with a dedicated keyboard shortcut. You’ll be able to screenshot a schedule and add events to your calendar, or ask questions about products on an e-commerce site you’re viewing.
Shortcuts are also getting easier to use, allowing you to describe what you want a shortcut to do and have Siri AI create it for you. The onscreen example was someone asking Siri to make a shortcut to text their spouse when they’re leaving work and sharing an ETA.
After the livestream, Apple also shared various smaller details about macOS 27 on its site:
- Ultrawide displays will support higher resolutions, such as 5K / 120Hz.
- You’ll be able to add or edit events on your calendar with just a description.
- Messages and Mail apps will offer suggestions for context-based quick actions, like adding a calendar event.
- Swiping down on apps like Safari, Mail, News, and Calendar on a trackpad will refresh them like they do on smartphones.
- Apple Podcasts on Mac will let you switch between audio and video podcasts on the fly.
The new OS for MacBooks and Mac desktops is the follow-up to last year’s macOS Tahoe 26. Tahoe added some handy features, like a revised Spotlight search and a Phone app, but was controversial due to its bold (and often disliked) Liquid Glass redesign.
Tahoe was the last major macOS update for Intel-based Macs; Golden Gate will leave them behind. Those with Macs still using x86 Intel chips were promised three years of security updates. Golden Gate will be compatible with all Macs on Apple silicon, including the new MacBook Neo. However, the most powerful on-device Apple Intelligence model that allows you to customize Siri’s voice and offers improved accuracy in dictation will require an M3 chip or later with a minimum of 12GB of memory — leaving out the Neo and its 8GB of memory.
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Victoria Song and Nilay Patel
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
