As busy as I’ve been lately, the rumor mill has continued to churn out content. As we start to turn towards summer and WWDC, I thought it’d be a great time to wrap up some of the rumors about the next version of macOS 10.15.
Marzipan
While there are many little things being added, I figured it would be best to start with the biggest change to the Mac in quite some time – Apple’s Marzipan effort.
Marzipan is just a code word and one that has stayed around in the blogging-sphere, for Apple’s attempt to bring iOS apps to the Mac. Without getting too complicated, right now, developing an application for the app and for iOS is very different. While it seems like there isn’t that much difference between a Mac and iOS, there really is underneath it all. Apps have to be made for certain chips and data.
Combine that with Apple’s announcement that it’s bringing the Apple TV app to Macs this fall, and the rumor that iTunes is going to be broken up, we are about to see a flood of iOS styled apps on the Mac.
Right now though, the rumors are saying that only iPad styled apps will be able to be ported. Hopefully, this will get more developers (*cough*cough* Instagram*cough*cough) to develop apps for iPad and Mac through this initiative.
For developers, this move will be as simple as just checking a box once they are finished developing their app and are ready to put it all together.
Two way street
I’m excited about this in the long run, but I think it is going to be rough sailing at first. The rumors do say that developers will be able to make Mac-specific features like customizing the menu bar, using the Touch Bar, etc. I wonder how many developers will be going go through this.
I think this is also an opportunity to make iOS apps more powerful as well. If developers can bring over some of the Mac-focused elements to their apps, it will only make iOS stronger.
As a developer, I would be excited about only having to maintain one set of code to really develop my app. I’m thinking of apps like Scrivener that are very different across the platform, but maybe with this tool, we’ll be able to see more parity come to the apps. Personally, I like writing on the iOS app more, but editing on the Mac App. If they were closer to the same, I would probably feel more at home doing both of those things.
The first wave will probably be junky apps that have done nothing but flip the switch to allow macOS compiles. We will probably see more apps like Home, Stocks, Voice recorder, and news that came to the Mac with Mojave this year, but if this is movement is successful I would expect things to get better down the road.
I hope that Apple takes the time to lead here with the new Music app. If they simply port over the Music app from iOS, I’d rather stick with iTunes. If they update the Music app and allow us to do things in it that we’ve done in iTunes for a while now (edit metadata, create smart playlist, etc) then it will lead the way for other developers.
Siri Shortcuts, ScreenTime, iMessage Effects
With the shift of iOS apps being shifted over, Apple is also trying to bring some features to the Mac.
To start with, Siri Shortcuts is rumored to be coming to the Mac. Siri Shortcuts is a way to automate the things you do all the time. The question right now is how many apps will Siri Shortcuts work with? On iOS, apps have to have Siri Shortcut hooks built in. I wouldn’t imagine that any app will work, only those apps that have come from iOS or built in the hooks.
ScreenTime could also be coming to macOS to help measure the amount of time you spend on your devices weekly. It will also allow parents to set timers and more. I’d imagine the data it gets from all your Apple devices to compile your time on device, in apps, and more.
Also, with these apps coming over from iOS, it looks like the messages app will be seeing an upgrade to bring it on par with the iOS counterpart. Things like confetti and explosions. Maybe even allowing 3rd party apps to hook into it.
SideCar
There are rumors that Apple is also working on new display technology for the next round of updates. The displays in all Macs and iOS devices are near the top of the line, Apple is working on making them work together even better.
With SideCar, users will be able to send the current window to an external display, full screen, or an iPad. If your iPad supports the Apple Pencil, that will be supported her as well. It will be pretty crazy to be able to send your Photoshop project on your Mac to your iPad to touch up with the Apple Pencil. I do worry about the future of such a great app as Lunar Display though.
There’s a myriad of options here now for window management and other workflow options coming as well. If this comes out, I’m a huge fan.
Biometrics
While only the MacBook Pros with TouchBar and the new MacBook Air have any biometric that allow you to log into your Mac or apps, users have been able to use their Apple Watches to enable some form of Biometrics. (You can even see how to set that up here)
Apple is working on increasing that ability in the new update beyond just logging you into your computer or authenticating an Apple Pay purchase. The reports are saying that the authentication will go further, maybe allowing you to log into apps and other operations.
I would love it if I could log into 1Password with just my Apple Watch since I don’t have a Mac with TouchID. It could help speed up so many processes if done correctly.
The problem is how finicky logging in with the Apple Watch already is. It works great if only one person is logged into a computer, but if more than one is, it never works for me.
Wrap up
I think this update has the ability to give the Mac a real shot in the arm, so to speak. The Mac hasn’t been dormant, but it has been behind iOS in many areas. While I prefer working in iOS for the most part, I’m super excited that my new iMac will be getting these new features and apps.
In fact, it’s actually the Apps that get me most excited. I think it could really be a two way street between the Mac and iOS apps. It could bring more apps to the Mac, more features to iOS, and less to worry about for developers.
I can’t wait to hear more about what’s next for macOS, and I’ll report back as I get more info.