macOS Mojave (version 10.14) which will be released later today comes with plenty of new features and enhancements. Let’s take a look at the best macOS Mojave features.
In case you’re wondering, the name “Mojave” refers to the Mojave Desert in California, which follows the California landmark-based naming system Apple first introduced with OS X Mavericks (version 10.9).
Top macOS Mojave Features
Here’s a look at the best macOS Mojave features coming to your MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Pro and Mac mini.
1. Dark Mode
Apple is finally getting around to including a fully functional Dark Mode in macOS. Switching to the mode will lead to not only the system theme changing but also other system apps like Mail, Maps, Messages, and Photos will switch to a dark theme. Apple is also offering an API for developers to implement Dark Mode in their apps.
2. Dynamic Desktop
To go along with Dark Mode, Apple is also introducing Dynamic Desktop in macOS Mojave which automatically changes the desktop wallpaper to match the time of the day.
3. New Mac App Store
Apple first debuted the Mac App Store in 2011 but has given it very little love since then. With macOS Mojave, it is giving the App Store a complete redesign similar to the one it debuted with iOS 11 last year. Apart from the new design, there’s a new Discover tab which would be updated on a weekly basis by editors over at Apple to help you discover new apps. There are also tabs for Create, Work, Play, and Develop to help users find the app they want. Even for apps you already have installed on your device, the App Store will show useful tips and tricks to help you get the most of it.
Apple has also managed to get Microsoft to bring its Office suite to the Mac App Store which should make its debut later this year. Adobe will also be bringing Lightroom CC on the Mac App Store.
4. Gallery View in Finder
The Finder gets a new Gallery View in macOS Mojave which makes it easier to skim through your photos and videos. It also has metadata support which is displayed in the Preview pane so you can quickly see important details of a photo.
5. Quick Actions
Finder now also has a Quick Actions toolbar which allows users to quickly create password-protect PDFs, run Automator actions, and more.
6. Improved Quick Look
Quick Look has been given an upgrade in Mojave and it can now be used to directly edit photos and videos, mark up PDFs, and more.
7. Desktop Stacks
Apple is bringing Stacks to the desktop of macOS Mojave. The feature will help clean up even the messiest of desktops by allowing users to group files depending on the file type, date, tags, and more.
If you are someone who always ends up having a messy desktop with icons and files littered around, the Stacks feature in macOS Mojave is going to be a lifesaver for you. The feature will automatically ‘stack’ all the icons and files on your desktop to ensure it is always clean and organized. This should also make it easier for you to find the right files when you need it.
Learn how to use Stacks to Organise your Desktop on your Mac.
8. Apple News App
macOS finally gets a dedicated Apple News app with a new design. There’s also a sidebar in the app for easy and quick navigation.
9. Home App
There’s a new Home app in macOS as well that will allow macOS Mojave users to control their HomeKit-enabled accessories easily.
10. Voice Memo
Another iOS app that is going to be available in macOS Mojave is Voice Memo. Using the app, one can quickly and easily record personal notes, meetings, and more. Voice Memos are also synced across all your devices using iCloud.
11. Stocks
Finally, the Stocks app is also going coming to macOS Mojave with a brand new interface, personalized watchlist, and interactive charts.
13. Favicons in Safari
Favicons have been a part of the browsing experience for more than a decade now. They’re those little icons for the website you’re visiting. You’ll find them in the tab bar up top. If you use Chrome on your Mac, Favicons is how you tell which site you’re on. While browsers like Chrome and Firefox embrace Favicons, Safari doesn’t. Safari on macOS has a property implementation of favicons while iOS lacked support altogether.
But in iOS 12 and macOS Mojave, that changes. It’s one of the new hidden features in iOS 12 and Mojave, and isn’t turned on by default, but if you flick a switch, you’ll instantly see favicons in the tab bar. And they’re the real, high-quality favicons, not the proprietary implementation that macOS had previously.
Learn how to add Favicons to Safari in iOS 12 and macOS Mojave.
14. Sneak Peek Into New Developer Framework
An important thing to note here is that all these apps are simply iOS apps which Apple has ported to macOS. The company gave developers a sneak peek into this project under which it is bringing UIKit, the iOS development framework, to macOS. This will allow developers to easily port their iOS apps to macOS. For now, Apple is still working on this framework and as a part of its test, it is bringing four system apps which we mentioned earlier from iOS to macOS Mojave.
15. Group FaceTime
Apple is debuting Group FaceTime with iOS 12 and the feature is also a part of macOS Mojave later this fall. With Group FaceTime, you can make a group video call comprising of up to 32 people. Even better, you can use Animoji, Memoji, stickers, and more while on a FaceTime call now.
That’s a wrap up of the best macOS Mojave features. Are you planning to installing Mojave as soon as it is released? Let us know which macOS Mojave features you’re looking forward to the most in the comments below.
Apple will be releasing macOS Mojave later today, if you’ve been eagerly waiting for it then find out the release time in your time zone.
Note: Rajesh Pandey also contributed to this article.
