macOS Catalina is a free-to-download utility application developed by Apple Inc. It is the sixteenth major release of macOS, the company’s operating system for its line of desktop and laptop computers. It is the successor to macOS Mojave and is the first version of macOS to exclusively support 64-bit applications straight out of the box.

Also known internally as version 10.15, macOS Catalina introduces big changes from its predecessor, highlighting a shift in focus and direction for the venerable iTunes app moving forward, which has long served as the operating system’s default media player and device manager for many years prior.

Out with the old, in with the new

First off, macOS Catalina officially gets rid of iTunes and instead replaces it with three separate apps: Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. These three are focused on their individual purposes, so they’ll function faster, unlike the overly bloated iTunes. Apple Music houses all your music, whether they’re songs bought online or ripped from CDs. You have full access to it, including the iTunes Music Store, and it will even give you music recommendations.

Apple TV gives you access to TV and movie content like the Apple Channels, and for the first time, supports 4K HDR content in 2018 and later Macs. Apple Podcasts is similar to how it operated back in iTunes, but now has more space and its own personalized library, which is perfect for podcast lovers. You can even voice-search for shows using words and phrases about them. As for syncing your devices, the Finder will help you there.

Beyond the Monitor

Secondly, Catalina has brand-new features that let you be innovative in how you interact with your Mac. Project Catalyst allows any iPad apps downloadable from the Mac App Store to run on Macs, so you’ll have a wider range of apps to use. Apple Sidecar, which lets you use an iPad as a second screen for your Mac, either as an extension or a mirror image of the monitor. If you pair it with an Apple Pencil, you can turn it into a drawing tablet for your Mac. You can now even use Voice Control to fully operate your Mac with voice commands through Siri.

64-bit architecture

Catalina improves the security system, as well, by prompting your permission when apps need to access your documents. Those with an Apple Watch can take it even further by syncing it with their Macs and controlling security prompts from there. Unfortunately, for all the high-tech improvements, Apple decided to move on with Catalina, and 32-bit apps no longer work on it. If you try to update them, you’ll just get a warning, and they literally won’t run on your computer.

Delving into the gaming space

Apple devices, from iPhones to iPads and Macs, have always had capable hardware that can handle games, and macOS Catalina further supports this through seamless integration with Apple Arcade. Gain access to an ever-growing catalog of games that support cross-saves across smartphones, tablets, and computers, so you can play anytime and anywhere without losing any progress. All this for a single subscription, and no added cost.

Track your devices

This OS version also brings enhanced security measures in case you lose your device with the Find My feature. You can now track and locate your Mac computer from anywhere, even if it's not connected to a Wi-fi or cellular connection, by signing in to your iCloud account. You can also enable Activation Lock, which prevents unauthorized use of your device with your Apple ID credentials.

Toward the future

This version of macOS is a big step in the future of the operating system. While iTunes is no longer, three distinct platforms and services have taken its place, offering better distinction and enhanced functionality. The strengthened focus on hardware integration and interoperability also shows that Apple aims to bring its vast ecosystem together to offer a more seamless and smooth experience across all devices and platforms.