macOS Big Sur is a major release of macOS, Apple's desktop operating system for Macintosh computers. It is the successor to macOS Catalina and is the first with its major version number changed, now known as macOS 11.0. This utility software offers a major user interface redesign, several improvements to other features, and Apple-designed ARM processor support. However, unlike Catalina, it drops support for various Macs released in 2012 and 2013.

A new look

macOS Big Sur’s biggest updates are on the UI design. App windows look cleaner and more streamlined. Your dock makes it easier to access programs. The new Control Center is now highly customizable with its drag-and-drop function of rearranging your button controls and favorites on the menu bar. The Notification Center has combined your notifications and widgets in one place, grouping the notifications by app and showing the widgets in three different sizes for customization.

Safari has also been given a major aesthetic overhaul. You can now customize its start page with a background image and select what categories you’d like it to display, like Favorites and Reading List. Extensions are now easier to find. The tabs have a new look and a hover preview function. It’s also much easier to translate web pages and monitor passwords and privacy threats. Plus, the browser’s performance and power efficiency have been upgraded.

The Messages program has also been updated, allowing you to pin conversations, reply directly to specific messages in group chats by mentioning names or starting a thread, create group photos and Memojis, discover trending images and GIFs, and use animated chat effects. Maps, on the other hand, now includes cycling and electric vehicle routes. There’s also a 3D street view and indoor maps of major airports and shopping malls.

The road to polishing continues

Overall, macOS Big Sur’s features help in making your day more efficient and productive with its new interfaces. The operating system also focuses on privacy transparency and control, especially for apps online. While it’s regretful to see some older Mac models unable to run this release, the shift to the new CPU architecture still bodes well for the future of this OS.