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Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing the concepts of each major Apple platform. Last month we shared our concept for watchOS 8, and today we’re sharing the next one, in this case for macOS. It includes all new apps, improved privacy controls, clearer notifications, and more. But before I jump into designing this macOS concept, I wanted to understand what Apple might call this year’s release.
It’s very clear that after every really significant release of macOS, Apple chooses to focus on a few specific areas for improvement. This is usually reflected in the branding of the version. For example, over the last couple of years we’ve seen versions like “Yosemite” and then “El Capitan” or “Sierra” for “High Sierra”. It got me thinking about places in or around Big Sur that might resonate well with this type of macOS brand.
What should it be called?
At first I envisioned names like “Santa Lucia” which is a mountain range near Big Sur. Big Sur’s wallpapers show a lot of mountains and hills, so it felt natural. But I decided to go back and look at the previously reported Apple trademarks for macOS names. One of them stands out in particular. “Monterey” is a name already registered by Apple and it happens to be the county in which Big Sur is located. It should be noted that “Big Sur” was one of the brands discovered at the same time as “Monterey” in 2014.
Several other names included in this trademark filing have been used over the years, so a name like “Monterey” is a very good bet. Some of the names used are: “Yosemite”, “Sierra” and “El Cap”. Other names like “Redwood”, “Pacific”, “Diablo”, “Farallon” and “Grizzly” were included on the file along with several other potential future names.
The size of Big Sur’s system overhaul and Apple Silicon compatibility indicate that this year’s version will be smaller, which likely focuses more on individual apps and small system enhancements rather than structural changes. A name like “Monterey” suggests it.
Manage cards and passes
I’m sure some people will wonder why this app is even part of this concept, but in the long run it makes a lot of sense to have the Wallet app on macOS. Apple Card users should currently view status information in System Preferences or use the Apple Card website.
With a fully-fledged Wallet app on macOS, you can easily keep tabs on your transactions and pay off your balance. You can also organize your cards and passes into different categories. Also, over time we tend to accumulate a lot of passes that are only used once. These passes can be archived on your Mac so you don’t have to worry about them on your iPhone.
It’s time to kill Photo Booth
Photo Booth has been part of macOS for over a decade and has hardly changed. During its 16-year lifespan, the app settled into users’ apps folder by collecting dust. Memoji and Animoji are the future of fun on Apple platforms. These are the version of the photo booth effects of this generation.
An app like “Memoji Studio” could introduce a standalone version of the Memoji iMessage app on iOS. You’re probably wondering how that would work on a Mac, without a real depth camera. Memoji Studio would require a new generation of Macs with a true depth camera, but older Macs could still use stickers, the Memoji generator, and old-school Photo Booth effects.
Fitness + classes on Mac
Apple currently allows Fitness + subscribers to take their classes on an iPad or Apple TV if they want to use a larger screen than their iPhone. It would be a natural extension for Apple to take the Fitness + app on iPadOS and bring it to Mac.
Your Apple Watch can connect to your Mac the same way it currently connects to your iPad or Apple TV. Just like your other devices, you can also use your wireless headphones to watch lessons. Laptops can also download different classes in case you use your Mac in a place with no internet access or weaker connections.
OTA meeting of genius
Due to the pandemic, it has been difficult for users to have their devices repaired without risking their health. Apple stores take even more precautions than most other retailers, but there are many issues that users encounter that shouldn’t require them to visit a store in person.
With the new Apple support, app users could make an appointment with an Apple Genius using Facetime protocols. It’s similar to using iMessage Business Chat, this is how you can currently talk to an Apple Support Specialist. With the new version for macOS, you can grant the Genius over-the-air access to your Mac so it can show you how to do things or even troubleshoot your Mac remotely. They would only have access for the duration of the call, and you would see everything they are doing in real time.
Better for developers and testers
For the first time, Mac developers can test their applications through TestFlight. App users can sign up to test beta versions of their favorite apps, send feedback, and more. It works just as you would expect if you are an avid iOS or iPadOS user.
IOS and iPadOS apps that run on macOS machines with Apple Silicon also display directly in TestFlight on your Mac. They work as they would on those other platforms.
Two factors simplified
With Apple Authenticator, you can connect your favorite web service accounts to the Keychain app on your Mac if you’re using Touch ID for authentication. When you sign in to a service that uses two-factor authentication, your Mac automatically generates a passcode just by pressing your fingerprint. No one other than the service you sign in to sees your two-factor code and because it requires your fingerprint to generate a code, no one other than you will be able to sign in to your accounts. If you need to generate a code to use on another device, just open Keychain Access and generate a code with your fingerprint.
Apple Authenticator is more private than any other similar tool. It prevents other users of your devices from viewing and entering your two-factor authentication codes. It is much more secure than apps like Google Authenticator or Authy. And since it works like a traditional keychain entry, you already know how to use it.
Automator for the rest of us
Shortcuts are extremely popular on iOS and iPadOS, so it would be natural for the app to arrive on macOS soon. Automator is incredibly old, even if it is powerful. The new Mac Shortcuts app would sync with all of your other devices, and because of the catalyst, many of them would work directly on macOS.
Automator users can still enjoy the functionality of this app through the sidebar automation menu. A new folder would allow you to see all of your most frequently used shortcuts. There might also be a new web sources menu that makes it easier to install third-party shortcuts.
Take a lot of temperatures
Weather is one of the iOS apps that hasn’t made its way to the Mac. We’ve seen the new weather widgets coming to macOS in Big Sur’s action center, but a standalone app could be of huge benefit to users. Currently, you have to use a website or download a third-party weather app to see a lot of data.
The best part about this particular version of the Weather app would be the larger canvas. With it, Apple could display tons of locations at a glance using a design similar to the new widgets.
Essential and more actionable notifications
Big Sur really messed up the Mac’s notification system. Action buttons are not easily visible and often require additional clicks. With Monterey, you could see all the buttons at a glance, and those notifications could drop to the center of the screen. You might be wondering why this makes sense, right? Well, Apple has removed the notification icon from the top right corner. It doesn’t make sense to click on the clock to see your notifications.
With Monterey, you might have a new notifications icon in the center of the menu bar. The action center can appear in the center of the screen so that users don’t miss any important alerts. Not only would that make it harder to miss notifications, but it would be on par with iOS and iPadOS. Their notifications appear from top to bottom. Apple could dedicate the side menu that appears when clicking on the clock to widgets.
More to like
This year, Apple could also make some improvements to the systems introduced at Big Sur. iOS and iPadOS got some great new privacy indicators that let you know when your microphone or camera is on right in the status bar. Since the Mac has a green light that turns on when your camera is on, a camera indicator is not needed. A microphone indicator, however, is quite important. An orange dot appears to the right in the menu bar as it does on iOS. In addition, the UI elements are cleaner and more flexible.
What do you think of our macOS Monterey concept? Do you have any other name ideas that Apple could choose? Are there any missing features that you think Apple might add this year? Let us know in the comments below!
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