Apple WWDC 2016: Sierra, MacOS

On Monday, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) announced its latest updates to four operating systems: WatchOS, TVOS, iOS, and MacOS – yes, it’s now MacOS, not OS X. The event unfolded about in line with rumors, as Apple handed over Siri to developers, brought Siri to Mac, and more. It will useable from the desktop using TouchID or an Apple Watch via Continuity.

Trying to watch the football and work at the same time? Apple also added a way to write messages other than using Apple’s predicted responses or Siri. “Favorite apps launch instantly and are simple to access, and the breakthrough new fitness and health features like the Breathe app make it feel like a whole new watch”. For those who own the 2009 or later iMac or MacBook (when it was still made of plastic), you guys are safe.

You can access your files on your iPhone and iPad in the iCloud Drive app and on iCloud.com or the iCloud for Windows app.

Continuity also plays into the new Universal Clipboard – a feature that warranted an audible gasp from the audience in San Francisco.

Apple introduced new features to iMessage.

On the visual side of things, macOS Sierra looks identical to El Capitan, all the way down to menu and app design, with only the desktop version of Apple Music receiving a simplistic revamp to make it match its mobile counterpart.

Arguably one of the biggest new features on MacOS is the integration of Siri, which helps Apple get up to speed with artificial intelligence on desktops.

Of course, like in iOS 10, the Mac Photos app is getting a pretty hefty upgrade with Sierra, allowing you to organize your photos more efficiently and look for them via a bunch of different ways. The company has chose to add Apple Pay functionality to Safari so you can check out using the existing credit and debit cards loaded to your Apple Pay wallet.

Overall, Apple’s announcements emphasized themes that continue to gain ground in the evolution of the company’s operating systems: more user customization, convergence of features among the systems, and more control for developers.

Taking a cue from a feature that is now the mainstay of the browsing experience, tabbed functionality has now been extended across several other Mac apps that support multiple Windows including Maps, Mail, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, TextEdit and even third-party apps.

Apple TV users will now be able to subscribe to and download new services, including Sling TV and FOX Sports.