macOS Tahoe is the end of the line for Intel Macs
Apple announced a lot of new features in today's WWDC stream, but news from one follow-up meeting heralds the end of an era. MacOS 26, also known as macOS Tahoe, will be the last version of the operating system to work on Macs powered by Intel Processors. Tahoe-supporting Intel Macs will get full access to all the new features, and they'll still get security updates for the next three years. By 2028, though they'll be out of the Apple ecosystem.
The first Apple Silicon processor launched in 2020. Since then, Apple has run all its hardware on its own Apple Silicon microchips, which are significantly more powerful than the Intel chips it had been using for most of the millennium. Apple Silicon's ARM-based architecture can perform more operations and use less battery power than the x86-based Intel processors. Many Intel-powered Macs have already aged out of updates, but today's update puts an expiration date on the last survivors.
The announcement, which came during a Platform State of the Union (SOTU) following the main WWDC event, was aimed primarily at app developers. Apple is encouraging developers to plan for the post-Intel era and ensure the migration is as smooth as possible for themselves and their users. Both macOS 26 and the planned next version, macOS 27, will include the Rosetta translation process, which helps apps built for x86 run on ARM. After 27, Rosetta will remain in place to support legacy video games.
Intel-powered Macs that will support Tahoe include the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro, the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, the 2020 27-inch iMac and the 2019 Mac Pro.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
WIRED
25 minutes ago
- WIRED
‘Beautiful' and ‘Hard to Read': Designers React to Apple's Liquid Glass Update
Software designers, even those impressed by Apple's refreshed look at WWDC 2025, are concerned about the readability of the company's new see-through aesthetic. Apple's overhaul of its user interface changes the look and feel of all of its platforms: Apple TV, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Watch. Courtesy of Apple Apple's translucent design update for iOS 26, called Liquid Glass, is now available to developers, with a public beta scheduled for next month. The refresh—Apple's first major interface overhaul in 10 years—makes app icons, buttons, menus, and pop-ups look like they are made of frosted glass, with blurred background colors peeking through. The sweeping software changes are not just for iPhones. This glassy look—inspired by the operating system in the Vision Pro headset—will eventually roll out to the entire suite of Apple devices, from smartwatches to iPads. After the WWDC 2025 keynote concluded on Monday, many design-focused developers WIRED spoke with were impressed by the major update, but had lingering questions about how this translucent look could impact readability for users. 'It's hard to read some of it,' says Allan Yu, a product designer currently building the workplace messaging app Output. 'Mainly because I think they made it too transparent.' Yu suggests bumping up the blurring or adjusting the backgrounds to make on-screen designs more readable. 'Similar to the first beta for iOS 7, what we've seen so far is rough on the edges and potentially veers into distracting or challenging to read, especially for users with visual impairments,' says Josh Puckett, cofounder of Iteration, which helps startups with designs. Still, Puckett is optimistic, based on Apple's past accessibility features, that readability will improve over time. Controls and navigation transform as you interact with the user interface. Courtesy of Apple Serhii Popov, a design-first software engineer at MacPaw, the company behind the CleanMyMac app, is curious to see how the new operating system will look on Macs in bright light situations, where glare already impacts visibility. But overall, Popov is enamored with this 'really fresh' look from Apple. 'I think it will make everything look bigger and allow you to read or interact with the UI with more comfort,' says Popov. For him, the new design and updates look especially sleek on iPads. Beyond readability concerns, the first impression from some designers is that this new look could be unnecessarily distracting for users. "From a technical perspective, it's a very impressive effect. I applaud the time and effort it must have taken to mimic refraction and dispersion of light to such a high degree,' says Adam Whitcroft, a designer at which makes apps and websites for restaurants. 'But, sadly I haven't seen a single example of where it's pulled off in a way that's complementary to the broader context it's presented in.' Whitcroft points to the dispersion and refraction of layers beneath the apps as visually distracting, especially as the user interface is changing layouts. 'If you've designed a UI that draws the attention of the eye away from the wider context, you've gone down the wrong path,' he says. The Icon Composer tool for developers lets them create icons with the Liquid Glass aesthetic that remain consistent across various platforms and themes. Courtesy of Apple Puckett's initial reaction to the revamp is more positive than Whitcroft's. He thinks the shift away from flatness is the right design move. 'I'm excited that Apple is re-introducing feelings to their digital surfaces, creating interfaces that shimmer, bend, and breathe.' Puckett hopes this ignites a larger design trend of more expressive, experiential software. Now, the hard part for developers begins: incorporating this new look. As Yu works on building Apple apps, he also appreciates the 'beautiful' new aesthetic, but is anxious about the feasibility of matching this vibe as a small team. In general, Yu remains unsure about how well Apple's new suit is going to fit. 'Apple is doing a great job in trying to pull us forward somewhere. It's very brave to do this. I just don't know if the direction is the right place,' he says. 'If anyone can do it, Apple can do it. I'm just scrambling to make our designs work.' Liquid Glass adds subtle changes to FaceTime. Courtesy of Apple The iOS Photos app with new menus and controls. Courtesy of Apple
Digital Trends
37 minutes ago
- Digital Trends
Will my Apple Watch get watchOS 26? Here's every supported model
Apple announced watchOS 26 at WWDC 2025, and the new iPad update comes with a fresh new look and plenty of features. Apple has ensured there are plenty of watchOS 26 supported slates, so if you have a relatively new iPad you should get the update this year. And no, you haven't missed a volley of updates since iPadOS 11 in 2024. Apple has skipped a bunch of numbers, so instead of giving us watchOS 12 in 2025, we got watchOS 26 alongside iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26 and visionOS 26. Recommended Videos There's a lot to like in the iPadOS 26 update, so you'll probably want to know whether your iPad qualifies for the upgrade. Which Apple Watch models can download watchOS 26? The good news for Apple Watch owners is that every model which received the watchOS 11 update in 2024 will also get the watchOS 26 update. That means watches dating back to 2020 are in-line for the new software update. To be able to get the new Apple Watch update, you'll need one of the following models: Apple Watch Series 6 Apple Watch Series 7 Apple Watch Series 8 Apple Watch Series 9 Apple Watch Series 10 Apple Watch Ultra Apple Watch Ultra 2 Apple Watch SE (2022) It's also worth noting that watchOS 26 requires an iPhone 11 or later, or iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 to work. When will my Apple Watch get watchOS 26? Apple has confirmed the final version of watchOS 26 will be ready for download in fall this year. That probably means September, when we expect Apple to make the update available after the iPhone 17 launch sometime in the middle of the month. Apple is releasing an watchOS 26 public beta in July for those who don't want to wait until later in the year, but be warned. This is a development build of the platform and could be full of bugs. If you depend on your Apple Watch on a daily basis, we'd advise against downloading the beta software.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Apple's Liquid Glass Interface Set To Revolutionize iOS 26, Hints At 20th Anniversary iPhone
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is poised to unveil a groundbreaking software design, dubbed 'Liquid Glass,' at its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, in his latest weekly 'Power On" report revealed that, the innovative interface, which will be incorporated into the forthcoming iOS 26, is a significant departure from the existing 'flat design'. It will feature a glossy, translucent aesthetic, akin to a glass surface, and will be consistent across all of Apple's operating systems, including iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26, and CarPlay. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today. Invest Where It Hurts — And Help Millions Heal: Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold. Alan Dye, Apple's vice president of human interface, is slated to discuss the transition at the conference. The 'Liquid Glass' interface is also expected to lay the groundwork for new hardware products, including a 20th-anniversary iPhone, internally known as the 'Glasswing', which is set to launch in 2027. The 'Glasswing' will boast curved glass sides and incredibly slim bezels. The Liquid Glass interface is considered the highlight of this year's developer conference. Besides the interface revamp, Apple is gearing up for its annual back-to-school offer, which is set to kick off on June 17. The tech giant is also planning to broaden iPhone carrier promotions in its retail stores from June 26. The introduction of the 'Liquid Glass' interface marks a significant milestone in Apple's design evolution. This shift not only enhances the visual appeal of Apple's software but also paves the way for future hardware innovations. The anticipation surrounding the 20th-anniversary iPhone, coupled with the new interface, underscores Apple's commitment to maintaining its leading edge in the tech industry. Read Next: In terms of getting money back, these bank accounts put traditional checking and savings accounts to shame. Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation. Image: Shutterstock/Xeniia X This article Apple's Liquid Glass Interface Set To Revolutionize iOS 26, Hints At 20th Anniversary iPhone originally appeared on
