Latest news with #Cheetah
Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
‘Roar of the tiger goes silent': As Valmik Thapar passes away, tributes pour in for the wildlife conservationist and author
Valmik Thapar, a renowned Indian naturalist, conservationist, and writer, passed away at the age of 73 Saturday morning at his New Delhi residence. 'Valmik Thapar passed away peacefully early this morning, the 31st of May, at home. He will be cremated at the Lodhi Electric Crematorium at 3:30 PM this afternoon,' a post on the Sanctuary Nature Foundation portal read. A renowned tiger expert and Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve's stalwart, Thapar's legacy has left an indelible mark on wildlife conservation. His passing has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their condolences and reflecting on their association with him. Dr Ullas Karanth, zoologist and tiger expert, described Thapar's passing, saying, 'roar of the tiger goes silent'. 'I am deeply saddened to learn that my friend and colleague of 32 years, Valmik has passed away. I met Valmik in 1993 in Delhi and realised instantly that we were bonded together forever by our passion for the tiger. His passion arose purely from the heart, inspired by the charisma of the cat. My passion was rooted in the mysteries of its ecology, and concern for the fate of tiger populations rather than of individual tigers. As we worked together over the next three decades, I was amazed by Valmik's single-minded focus, incredible drive and the shrewd understanding of how political systems worked,' he said. Among the generation of conservationists of post-colonial India, Thapar, who was born in 1952, stood tall as the most effective and genuine leader, Dr Karanth said in a statement. 'He made his impact initially in Ranthambore, but around the time we met, he was spreading his wings across India to work with several of us on pragmatic wildlife conservationists – not of the 'woke' academic kind that currently predominates,' he said. 'It is indeed extremely sad. He was a good friend,' said Sunil Limaye, former chief wildlife warden, Maharashtra, who first met Thapar in 2010. 'At that time, human-animal conflict with leopards reaching human settlement was being widely discussed. That was the first time I met him where he discussed how such conflicts are all about space, encroachment of the space of animals,' said Limaye. Neha Singh, founder, FORREST, Forest Regeneration and Environmental Sustainability Trust, said that she came to know Thapar through his books. 'As a lead protector of Indian forests, he has inspired a generation of conservationists in India. As fearless as the tigers he protected and studied. His legacy lives on in the forests we are fighting to protect and conserve,' Singh said. Vivek Sharma, founder, Snakehub, and co-founder, IndianSnakes, shared an interesting anecdote. 'I was privileged to listen to Valmik sir live some 15 months ago. He was such a person who would not tone down his opinion just to convince people. He spoke his heart as usual. He explained about problems in Cheetah introduction and his story of Ranthambore. In between his 1.5 hour talk, suddenly he stood up and said flatly, 'I am now 72 year old, I don't have many years left and I want to spend every moment with tigers so I cannot miss any safari and will keep doing so till I am alive', and walked away. That was his passion,' Sharma said. Dr Karanth, too, vouched for Thapar's intellect and his ability to not flinch from speaking out. Thapar's prodigious advocacy for tigers through his television documentaries, numerous books and passionate pleadings with those in power stands unmatched, he shared. 'What impressed me most about Valmik was, he did not flinch from speaking out on what he felt was right. He also intelligently changed his position on issues when rational evidence was presented, a rare trait in most individuals driven by pure passion,' said Dr Karanth. Thapar has been credited with many amendments to wildlife laws, setting up of the wildlife crime bureau, formation of the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court, establishment of the Global Tiger Forum and appointment of the Tiger Task Force. Dr Karanth also said Thapar 'made us all effective on the ground. Regardless of who ran the political show in Delhi, Valmik could get things done. A dozen of us, officials and non-officials, sometimes provided ideas and supported him in whatever way we could.' According to Dr Karanth, who had a long-standing association with Thapar, said conservationists in Karnataka will remember him fondly. 'They enjoyed his support on key issues, such as the closure of the Kudremukh mine, conservation resettlement from wildlife reserves, improving tiger science, and supporting law enforcement on ground when forest department was resource-starved,' Dr Karanth said. As the son-in-law of veteran actor Shashi Kapoor, Thapar, once shared that the passing of his parents Raj and Romesh Thapar left a void in his life. 'My life's work has been very different from what Raj and Romesh did. But their goodwill across so many shades of life cushioned and at some level even gave direction to my life. It is truly amazing. I still dream about my parents and in those dreams I am always in conversation with them, in debate and discussion. That fine-tuning of the mind comes from the rich experiences that I lived through with Raj and Romesh. It is a great feeling because they float in and out of this life I have been so privileged to lead,' Thapar once shared in a 'personal tribute' on Waterman of India, Rajendra Singh, Indian water conservationist and environmentalist from Alwar district, Rajasthan, shared in a post on Facebook, 'I had the privilege of spending time with the legendary Valmik Thapar, including a memorable jungle excursion. He embodied the spirit of wildlife conservation, and it was clear that his life's purpose was dedicated to protecting tigers. His conversations were always infused with passion and insight, with wildlife being the sole focus. Famous historian Romila Thapar is Valmik Thapar's aunt and veteran journalist Karan Thapar is his cousin. Jayashree Narayanan writes on fitness, health, aviation safety, food, culture and everything lifestyle. She is an alumnus of AJKMCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia and Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi ... Read More
Time of India
23-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Combat Army Aviation Training School holds passing out parade for skilled aviators, instructors
The Combat Army Aviation Training School in Nashik conducted a combined passing out parade, inducting officers as skilled aviators and instructors. Lt General Vinod Nambiar presided over the event, emphasizing technology's role and Army Aviation's future as first responders. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Combat Army Aviation Training School in Nashik on Friday held a 'combined passing out parade ' for the officers who were commissioned as skilled aviators and instructors after completing various aviation and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) courses. The CAATS, located at Gandhi Nagar airfield on Nashik Road, is a premier flying training institution of the Indian Army which functions under the aegis of Army Training Command, trained student officers, including the ones from Nepal and Nigeria, marched together and were awarded wings/badges. They were formally inducted as Combat Aviators and Aviation Instructors The number of such student officers was not immediately parade was presided over by Lt General Vinod Nambiar, Director General and Colonel Commandant of the Army Aviation Corps "Technology is in the DNA of every aviator. In near future, Army aviation will be the first responder in all operations. I am sanguine that the officers will wear their wings with a great sense of humility and being fully aware of the pious responsibility which they have as Aviators and qualified flying instructors," Lt Gen Nambiar said in his said CAATS, which was raised in 2003 and meant to conduct three courses, is now running 17 training programmes."I see more expansion in the training process in future. We have one simulator operational at present, and one training simulator will be made operational in co-operation with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ," he highlight of the parade was the presentation of the prestigious Army Aviation Wings to officers from Nepal and Nigeria, as well as a female officer. Two female officers were also presented with the coveted Instructor's the newly commissioned aviators and instructors, Lt Gen Nambiar emphasised the evolving role of Army Aviation in peacetime and combat operations besides reconnaissance, surveillance, operational lift and attack skilled aviators also performed the "Sky Soldier' exercise, while trophies were presented to outstanding officers in recognition of their exemplary official said everybody got an opportunity to view the daring and challenging tasks that the aviators have to perform in their call of duty and the work they do with the help of their machines - LAH Dhruva, Cheetah, Chetak, Rudra and drones.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New averages mean changed line-up for Spires
OXFORD Spires will boast a changed line-up tomorrow, with new averages coming into force, when they take on the Sheffield Tigers, tapes up at 7:30pm, writes Leon Foster-Hill. Craig Cook will ride at number two, partnering Maciej Janowski, whilst Peter Kildemand moves to the reserve position. Kildemand put in his best performance of the season against Belle Vue last week and could be a real trump card in the reserve berth where he can replace any rider. Mr Consistent, Charles Wright, moves to the tough number five berth with Erik Riss partnering Rohan Tungate at three and four. READ ALSO: The latest Aunt Sally results from Oxford league The Spires will need to be at their absolute best with the Sheffield Tigers putting in some impressive performances this year and being the first team to defeat Ipswich Witches this season, last Thursday at Owlerton. Jack Holder is in a rich vein of form having just won the Polish Grand Prix and the team also boasts previous Cheetah and Spire Lewis Kerr. Oxford remain in fifth place, one point ahead of King's Lynn Stars, so a win is vital to keep their push for the play-offs on course. Oxford Spires: Maciej Janowski, Craig Cook, Erik Riss, Rohan Tungate, Charles Wright, Peter Kildemand, Luke Killeen. Sheffield Tigers: Jack Holder, Anders Rowe, Josh Pickering, Justin Sedgmen, Chris Holder, Lewis Kerr, Leon Flint. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OXFORD MAIL ONLINE (Image: Newsquest) The Oxford Cheetahs look to make their second semi-final of the year when they travel to Scunthorpe on Friday night in the second leg of the Knockout Cup. Oxford have a healthy 20-point advantage from their home leg and the Scorpions have only managed one win so far this season, making the Cheetahs favourite to progress. They go into the meeting with a slightly new look as Dan Gilkes has been sidelined with a nasty knee injury, which has allowed the Oxford management to give Latvian Francis Gusts another outing, albeit in the Championship rather than the Premiership. Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: 'We are gutted for Dan and our fans who took him to their hearts with his 100 per cent commitment on track and we wish him a speedy recovery. This does give Francis a further opportunity to establish himself in British Speedway.' Gusts will ride at number four, partnering Cameron Heeps, whilst Jordan Jenkins will take the number five position. The Oxford Chargers have their second home meeting on Sunday when they face the Edinburgh Academy, tapes up at 3pm. Edinburgh top the National League with two wins out of two. Oxford Chargers: Jody Scott, Jacob Clouting, Arran Butcher, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Max Broadhurst, Senna Summers. Edinburgh Academy: Connor Coles, Kyran Lyden, Matt Marson, Sam McGurk, Dayle Wood, Mark Parker, Lee Harrison.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Railway Station master in UP cracks IFS exam
LUCKNOW: Amrish Yadav , aged 32, a station master with Indian Railways in Uttar Pradesh , has achieved success in the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2024, securing All India Rank 72. He is among 143 candidates selected by the Union Public Service Commission . After attempting the civil service examination seven times and clearing the mains four times, Amrish has finally succeeded. Currently posted at Marahra railway station in Etah district, he is from the adjacent Kasganj district and is the fourth eldest of six siblings. "Finally, all my hard work has paid. I'm happy with this feat, but I guess my parents, siblings, friends and colleagues are happier than me, as they have been immensely supportive in my journey," said Amrish who is fascinated with the introduction of Cheetah in fauna of India. Amrish comes from a family with a tradition of government service . His grandfather, Suraj Pal Singh Yadav, retired from railways as chief train ticket examiner in 2002, whilst his father Srinivas Yadav retired as Head Constable of PAC. His younger sibling Awadesh Yadav serves as a constable in Jhansi police. "There are several members in my family who had or are serving in government, but none had qualified the civil services. I wanted to join IRTS, but I'm closer to nature, and felt that I could do much better as an IFS officer," said Amrish who wishes to see Tiger in an open jungle someday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Since January 2023, Amrish has been serving as Station Master at Marahra. "I was also motivated and supported by seniors in the railway, many helped as guidance during my journey for civil service," added Amrish. The IRTS association's official handle on X (formerly Twitter) extended congratulations to Amrish for his achievement.
Digital Trends
18-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Every macOS version in order: from the first public beta to macOS 15
Apple's macOS operating system has changed a lot over the last 25 years, with new features and designs coming and going as the decades have passed. Even the name has been adjusted, starting out as Mac OS X before shortening to OS X and eventually settling on macOS. The world the original version inhabited back in 2000 is very different to today. Including the initial public beta, Apple has released 22 versions of the Mac operating system so far, with new launches becoming an annual occurrence. But it wasn't always this way, and there have been some fascinating updates and developments in the time since the first version appeared. Let's see how macOS has changed over the years. Recommended Videos Mac OS X Public Beta (2000) The world's first glimpse of what was then called Mac OS X came in 2000 with the launch of the Mac OS X Public Beta. Codenamed Kodiak, this preview version cost $29.95 and was intended to gather feedback from users. The biggest advance over previous Mac-based operating systems was the introduction of the famous blue-and-gray Aqua user interface, which Steve Jobs touted as looking so good you wanted to lick it. Aside from that, it introduced the Dock, the menu bar, and protected memory, as well as a host of apps still in use today, such as Mail, Preview, QuickTime, Terminal, and TextEdit. Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah (2001) The Mac OS X Public Beta only lasted six months, with Apple launching the first version of its new operating system – Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah – in spring 2001. Given that it was a full release and not a beta, Cheetah cost $129. It continued to use the Aqua interface, and its bubbly blue buttons and translucent menus instantly became iconic. Yet it was riddled with issues, including poor performance (even on machines that met the minimum spec), freezes, kernel panics, and more. There was a disappointing lack of third-party Mac apps, and some people complained that those shiny new interfaces were hard to use. That all coalesced into a feeling that Cheetah was simply undercooked and not ready for prime time. While its visual style was a revelation and created the playbook for future OS X releases, it probably needed a little more time in the oven before launching. Mac OS X 10.1 Puma (2001) Another six months later, Mac OS X 10.1 (codenamed Puma internally at Apple) was released. This came with a number of features that were missing from Mac OS X 10.10, including DVD playback, greater support for third-party printers, an Image Capture app for exporting pictures from digital cameras and scanners, and more. There were also plenty of performance enhancements. This included faster 3D output, a more capable version of AppleScript, and more user-friendly file handling. Performance was also improved across the entire operating system. Although Puma cost $129 to new users, it was released as a free update for anyone who had purchased Cheetah. In January 2002, Apple announced it would be the default Mac operating system, replacing Mac OS 9. Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar (2002) Although past versions of Mac OS X had used codenames (like Cheetah and Puma), those titles were intended for internal use only. Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, on the other hand, was the first to use its codename publicly, giving users a much easier way to remember its name than a string of numbers. Arriving a year after Puma, Jaguar added a slew of quality-of-life features. The Finder gained a search box, Quartz Extreme improved responsiveness by offloading graphics compositing to your Mac's graphics card, while the introduction of Universal Access made the system much more usable for disabled customers. Although Jaguar remained a $129 purchase for general users, Apple gave it away for free to all US K-12 teachers. Mac OS X 10.3 Panther (2003) When Mac OS X 10.3 Panther came out in October 2003, its main focus was on performance. Here, Apple improved Preview's PDF rendering abilities, brought quicker compile times to Xcode, added FileVault for on-the-fly encryption and decryption, and more. The update also came with better compatibility with Microsoft Windows apps and features. But there was more to it than that. It also featured the most extensive user interface update since the first version of Mac OS X. Finder was revamped with a new brushed-metal look and a customizable sidebar, the Exposé window manager was added, as was fast user switching and built-in fax support. Mac OS X 10.3 Panther lasted a full 18 months until it was replaced, giving it a more significant shelf life than previous Mac OS X releases. Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger (2005) Apple boasted that Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger came with over 200 new features when it launched in April 2005, and it brought with it several tools and apps that are still used by Mac fans today. That includes Spotlight, Smart Folders, Smart Mailboxes in the Mail app, VoiceOver, and Automator. Among the other important new features was the Dashboard, which lasted 12 years until it was discontinued. Tiger was also the first Mac operating system to work with Intel processors, as Apple announced the transition from PowerPC chips to Intel processors during its lifetime. To facilitate the move, Apple included the Rosetta compatibility layer in Tiger, which allowed PowerPC apps to run on Intel hardware. Apple continued to use Intel chips until the debut of the M1 chip in 2020, which heralded the start of the Apple silicon era. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard (2007) Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard was promoted by Apple as 'the largest update of Mac OS X,' and this was due to its inclusion of over 300 new features. Among them were a new visual appearance with skeuomorphic icons and reflective aspects, fresh features in Mail, Finder and iChat, plus plenty of security patches. Apple also pre-loaded Time Machine, desktop Spaces and Boot Camp with compatible Macs. Existing apps like Photo Booth, Safari, Spotlight and Front Row were reworked and improved. And there were other new features, such as the Quick Look file preview framework and Back to My Mac, which allowed MobileMe users to access the files on their home computer while away from their desk. Leopard had support for both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs, and was the last release to run on PowerPC chips. After that, Apple went all-in on Intel, marking the start of a new era for the Mac. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard (2009) When Apple brought those 300 changes to Leopard in 2007, there was a sense that the company had overstretched itself, with many of the features working poorly and requiring fixes. To put things right, Apple launched Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard in 2009 as a 'no new features' update, with the sole focus on improving what came before. To that end, Apple made plenty of small-but-significant adjustments. For instance, clean installs would leave much more free space compared to Leopard, Time Machine backups took less time to complete, and Finder was more responsive thanks to being extensively rewritten. The overall system was made faster and more reliable compared to its predecessor, too, while the Mac OS X 10.6.6 update introduced the Mac App Store for the first time. In terms of hardware, Snow Leopard could support greater amounts of memory, dual-core processor compatibility was improved, and GPU performance was stepped up. OS X 10.7 Lion (2011) Ever use the Launchpad to view your installed apps in macOS? If so, you can thank OS X 10.7 Lion for that, as it was the operating system version that introduced that feature. It also expanded the use of multi-touch gestures on the Mac, and added Mission Control, which combined the previously separate Dashboard, Spaces, Exposé, and fullscreen apps. Aside from what was actually in its software, Lion had a few other notable changes. It dropped the 'Mac' from its name, becoming simply OS X 10.7 Lion. It was also the first OS X version to not support 32-bit processors, and it also ended support for PowerPC chips by coming without the Rosetta translation layer. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (2012) Like Snow Leopard, Mountain Lion was another 'refinement' release that aimed to improve on its predecessor and ramp up the usability of the operating system. And it succeeded in a big way, almost immediately being recognized as a major enhancement over OS X 10.7 Lion.f Compared to Lion, Mountain Lion was far more stable and pleasant to use. But it didn't just put right past mistakes — it added a boatload of new features. Notification Center was the most prominent addition, but Messages and Notes came across from iOS, while system features like Power Nap and AirPlay Mirroring also made their debuts. Mountain Lion showed that Apple could refine its operating systems and add new features, and that combination proved to be a winner at the time. OS X 10.9 Mavericks (2013) With OS X 10.9 Mavericks, Apple stopped naming its Mac operating system updates after big cats and instead switched to locations in its native California. Notably, it was also a free upgrade for anyone running Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or later on a Mac with a 64-bit Intel chip. As with Mountain Lion, Mavericks brought across more features from iOS, including the Maps and iBooks apps. Tabs were added to Finder, and Safari was sped up thanks to better JavaScript performance. There were also improvements to multi-monitor setups and performance under the hood. At the time, Mavericks was seen as a gradual evolution of the Mac operating system, although it wasn't without its critics. However, some of the biggest praise went to its price tag: it was totally free, marking a trend that continues to this day. OS X 10.10 Yosemite (2014) OS X 10.10 Yosemite featured the first major visual overhaul of the Mac operating system in years. Gone were the skeuomorphic apps of the Steve Jobs era, replaced by flat icons and translucent design elements that are still in use today (albeit with some alterations). That followed the moves made by iOS 7 in 2013, which also dropped its skeuomorphic touches. It also enabled Apple to show off the tight integration of its iPhone and Mac products with a new feature called Handoff. With this enabled, you could answer an iPhone call on your Mac, or start editing a document on one device and then finish it on another. A change that was less well received was the replacement of the iPhoto and Aperture apps with Photos. The former two apps had loyal followings, and even today you'll find Apple users who lament their demise. OS X 10.11 El Capitan (2015) As we've seen, every now and then Apple releases a 'refinement' update to the Mac operating system, and OS X 10.11 El Capitan was one such case. That meant a plethora of small fixes and improvements, including a better user interface in the Notes app, . System Integrity Protection was also brought in for stronger security. But El Capitan wasn't totally devoid of new features. You could now get public transport directions in the Maps app, there were new window-management features, and Mission Control was tweaked and enhanced. The Metal API was also added from iOS 8 to enhance performance in games and pro apps. All these small adjustments resulted in a positive reception for El Capitan, with praise offered for its stability and functionality. macOS 10.12 Sierra (2016) When you think back to macOS 10.12 Sierra, perhaps the most obvious thing you'll remember is the name. It was the first time Apple used the 'macOS' branding, dropping OS X and bringing its Mac naming style in line with that of its other systems (such as iOS and tvOS). But that's not what made it a great release. Sierra is one of the best versions of macOS because of what it introduced. That includes Siri on the Mac, Auto Unlock to unlock your Mac using an Apple Watch, and Night Shift, which automatically reduced blue light late at night. There was Picture in Picture and the Universal Clipboard, plus the first look at the APFS file system that modernized Mac storage. Sierra was an important release both on the surface and under the hood, with a bunch of features that are still well-loved today. It was an impressive way to kick off the macOS era. macOS 10.13 High Sierra (2017) In 2017, macOS 10.13 High Sierra was released with the intention of polishing much of what arrived a year earlier in Sierra. To that end, Apple put the emphasis on speeding up performance and solidifying the system's stability, although there were a handful of new features in apps like Photos, Mail and Safari. Unfortunately, High Sierra was affected by a number of serious security issues that dented its reputation. There was the infamous 'root' problem, for example, which let anyone enter the username 'root' on the login screen, then log in to the all-powerful root account without even requiring a password. Other issues included problems with external monitor connections and lagging animations likely caused by a last-minute Metal 2 update. macOS 10.14 Mojave (2018) While macOS Sierra was the start of a new era, macOS 10.14 Mojave was the last of its kind. It was the final version of macOS to support 32-bit apps, and as such is cherished by a small subset of users who could not or would not update their apps to run on 64-bit operating systems. There was much more to Mojave than that, though. It was the first version to feature Dark Mode, which people still love today. Huge piles of files on your desktop could be grouped into Stacks, making things appear much neater (even if they actually weren't). The App Store was totally remade and got editorial content, while a handful of apps were transferred from iOS to the Mac (although they were far from perfect at the time). Mojave was one of those editions that never really screamed and shouted to get attention, yet its consistency and thoughtful, incremental changes made it a firm favorite. As the old Steve Jobs adage went, 'It just works.' Sometimes, that's just what you're looking for. macOS 10.15 Catalina (2019) Released in 2019, macOS Catalina wasn't a terrible launch for Apple. It had plenty of positives, including the introduction of Sidecar and Find My, better security features, and more. But if you've used Catalina, there's one thing that probably makes all that seem irrelevant: its incredibly annoying pop-ups. Let's say you've got an app that you've told to open a file on your desktop. Catalina would insist you needed to grant it permission first, then did the same for every single other app that wanted to do the same. The alerts would often appear even when the app didn't seem to be trying to do anything at all. They were a constant barrage of irritating distractions, akin to Windows' much-mocked User Account Control pop-ups. Just trying to use your Mac in a normal way became annoying. Apple has always prided itself on the security of its Macs, but this was one case where it swung wildly away from convenience and too far into security territory. Fortunately, it seems to have found a much better balance these days. macOS 11 Big Sur (2020) Six years after Yosemite, macOS 11 Big Sur introduced another major design overhaul, with a new look that featured major changes to first-party apps, design elements like windows and the Dock, and remade system sounds. It also changed the macOS naming convention to drop the incremental 10.x style and instead use full integers. Big Sur wasn't just about the visuals, though. Time Machine was revamped, Control Center was added, and the Notification Center was redesigned. Big Sur was also the first version of macOS to support Apple silicon chips, a significant alteration in the Mac's history. macOS 12 Monterey (2021) Big Sur was always going to be a tough act to follow, but macOS 12 Monterey acquitted itself well. It added features like Universal Control (which lets you control multiple devices using a single mouse and keyboard) and Focus modes that are much loved today. It also ported the Shortcuts app across from iOS and iPadOS, giving far more power to users to create automated workflows. That's not all. Live Text let you highlight words and phrases in images, while Low Power Mode helped save your MacBook's battery and extend its life. SharePlay, Portrait mode and noise cancelation were all added to FaceTime, Visual Look Up let you identify plants and animals in photos, and AirPlay was tweaked with better streaming options for iOS and iPadOS content. Overall, then, there was a lot to like about macOS Monterey. macOS 13 Ventura (2022) Apple likes its whizzy demos, and following the wow factor that came with macOS Monterey's Universal Control, the company needed a follow-up. It delivered that in macOS 13 Ventura in the form of Continuity Camera, which lets you mount an iPhone on your Mac's display and use it as a webcam, no extra steps required. But there was more to Ventura than just a cool video-calling feature. System Preferences was renamed to System Settings and given a more logical design, Stage Manager was introduced (to a mixed reception), and native Freeform, Weather and Clock apps were added. It was a solid update with new features that are still well-regarded today. macOS 14 Sonoma (2023) Apple had long had an issue with Mac widgets – since the demise of the Dashboard, it hadn't found a way to do them justice. In macOS 14 Sonoma, Apple found the solution in the form of widgets that could be placed anywhere on your desktop and interacted with, all without needing to open their companion apps. Sonoma also introduced Game Mode for enhanced gaming performance, added animated wallpapers and screen savers in a variety of styles, and the Lock Screen was redesigned to take on a similar appearance to iOS. It wasn't the most feature-packed update, but it had enough going for it to be a solid upgrade. macOS 15 Sequoia (2024) With macOS 15 Sequoia came one of Apple's biggest new features yet: Apple Intelligence. The artificial intelligence (AI) system was meant to revolutionize the way you used your Mac, although its initial rollout was marred by delayed features and subpar performance compared to rivals. Still, there were more positive changes elsewhere, like the introduction of the Passwords app for managing your logins, an iPhone Mirroring feature that lets you directly use your Apple phone on your Mac, and the debut of Math Notes, which can automatically calculate sums and formulae for you in the Notes app. Other new features comprised window tiling, a redesigned Calculator app, the second version of the Game Porting Toolkit, and more.
