macOS Sierra

macOS Sierra is a particularly notable release in the history of Apple's desktop operating system because it marked a major shift in both naming convention and feature integration with iOS.

• Version Name Change: It was the first version to be named "macOS" (10.12), replacing the previous "OS X" moniker, bringing the Mac operating system's naming in line with iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

• Version Number: macOS 10.12

• Release Date: September 20, 2016

• Successor: macOS High Sierra (v10.13)

Key Features of macOS Sierra

Sierra's major focus was on Continuity and bringing popular features from iOS to the Mac desktop for the first time.

Siri Comes to Mac

• The Siri intelligent assistant was integrated directly into the Mac for the first time, accessible via the Dock, the menu bar, or a keyboard shortcut.

• It could be used to send messages, launch apps, search the web, find files, and adjust settings.

• Unique Feature: Users could drag and drop Siri search results (like images from the web or map locations) directly into other applications or documents.

Deeper Continuity

Sierra significantly enhanced the integration between Macs and other Apple devices:

• Universal Clipboard: This feature allows users to copy content (text, images, video) on one Apple device (like an iPhone) and paste it immediately on another (like a Mac), and vice-versa, using the same iCloud account.

• Auto Unlock with Apple Watch: Users wearing a paired and authenticated Apple Watch can bypass the password screen and automatically unlock their Mac simply by being near it.

• Apple Pay on the Web: Allowed users to make purchases on participating websites using Apple Pay, with authentication done via their iPhone's Touch ID or their paired Apple Watch.

Storage and Window Management

• Optimized Storage: A feature designed to automatically free up disk space by:

  • Uploading seldom-used files, older email attachments, and original resolution photos to iCloud.

  • Automatically deleting older, watched iTunes movies and TV shows.

  • Removing old files from the Trash.

  • Note: This feature was often a user's first major interaction with iCloud Drive's expanded capabilities.

• iCloud Desktop and Documents: Gave users the option to sync their Desktop and Documents folders to iCloud Drive, making those files accessible across all their Macs, iPhones, and iPads.

• Tabs Everywhere: Extended the use of tabs to almost all applications that support multiple windows (like Maps, Mail, and TextEdit), helping keep the desktop less cluttered.

• Picture-in-Picture: Allowed videos (from Safari or iTunes) to be popped out into a small, floating window that stays visible over all other applications and can be moved to any corner of the screen.