macOS & iPadOS
QBe Sur of yourself
The latest macOS overhaul
echoes the look of iPadOS.
App icons are squareish,
sidebars are full-height and
toolbars default to buttons
(but you can control-click
them to get text labels back).
Looking for the Notification
Centre? That now shows up
when you click on the clock.
We’ve no idea why.QTake back controls
Control Centre lurks in the
menu bar, and mimics the
iPad/iPhone equivalent (or
the original Mac Control Panel,
old people). It houses a range
of settings, but you can drag
individual controls back to
the menu bar. Need more?
Search ‘Control Centre’ in
System Preferences for
a list of additional options.macOS Big Sur
MAC FOR GOOD
QHave a bit on the side
Apple has rethought iPad app
design. Rather than spraying
buttons everywhere, iPad
apps get a Mac-like sidebar.
It looks drab, but allows you
to quickly and easily access
key app sections.QGo pop-up shopping
Many Apple apps now include
pop-up menus that house
important functions. For
example, tap the Views button
(next to Select) in Files and
you can switch the current
folder’s view and sort order.As Apple’s desktop and tablet operating systems continue
to steal each other’s ideas, Craig Grannell delves into thebest bits of both so you can get more from your swanky kit
QGo on Safari
Ignore Apple’s claims about
Safari being faster and more
efficient than rivals — those
things change from week
to week. Instead, delve into
extensions on the App Store,
delight at on-hover tab
previews, fiddle with custom
Start Page sections (by
clicking the sliders button),
and know Apple has your back
with passwords and privacy.QGet the message
Messages for Mac has often
felt like second-best to its
mobile siblings. But in Big Sur
you get plenty of new toys:
pinned conversations, search
that actually works, inline
replies, mentions, and the
means to abandon language
entirely by peppering every
thread with Memoji stickers
and trending gifs.QKeep it accessible
The macOS on-boarding
process was long enough...
and with Big Sur it’s even
longer. But that’s good,
because you can now turn
on accessibility features. Even
if you don’t require assistance
with vision, motor control
and hearing, these features
can often improve your
Mac experience. Want
to explore them later?
They’re under Accessibility
in System Preferences.BETA YOURSELF
Get lost
Apple promises cycling
directions, EV routing and
a 3D Look Around view
for Maps. But if you’re not
in the US, you’ll have
to wait for most
of it. Bah.
iPadOS 14