Latest news with #Spotlight
Techday NZ
2 hours ago
- Techday NZ
Apple unveils macOS Tahoe 26 with new design & AI features
Apple has previewed macOS Tahoe 26, the next major update to its desktop operating system, bringing a new design, enhanced Continuity features, significant Spotlight updates, and expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities. Design updates The new design introduces the Liquid Glass material, offering translucent effects that reflect and refract the surroundings. Key elements such as the Dock, sidebars, and toolbars have been refined to focus on user content, and the menu bar is now completely transparent to maximise display space. Customisation options have been expanded, allowing users to arrange controls in the menu bar and Control Centre, and apply different colours or emojis to folders and app icons. New light and dark appearances for app icons, as well as updated wallpapers and theme colours, are also included. Continuity improvements macOS Tahoe introduces the Phone app to the Mac via Continuity, allowing users to relay cellular calls from their iPhone, access Recents, Favourites, and Voicemails, and use features such as Call Screening and Hold Assist. Call Screening answers calls from unknown numbers and gathers information for the user, while Hold Assist enables users to keep their place in a queue and continue working. Live Activities from iPhone are now integrated into the Mac menu bar, displaying real-time events such as flights, rides, or sports scores. Clicking a Live Activity opens iPhone Mirroring for further details and interaction. Spotlight enhancements Spotlight receives an update with the ability to execute hundreds of actions, such as sending emails or creating notes, directly from the search interface. Search results are grouped and prioritised by relevance, with new filtering and browsing options for faster content discovery, and improved support for documents in third-party cloud drives. Spotlight now supports actions from both Apple and third-party apps via the App Intents API. Users can also run shortcuts and perform personalised actions based on routines, as well as use quick keys for rapid commands. Apple Intelligence features Apple Intelligence expands with features focused on productivity, communication, and creativity. Live Translation provides text and audio translation in real time across Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls, using on-device models to maintain privacy. Shortcuts can now leverage Apple Intelligence models for tasks such as text summarisation and automatic image creation. Shortcuts can run at designated times or upon specific actions. Users may also access ChatGPT for broader world knowledge within shortcuts. Genmoji and Image Playground receive updates allowing users to customise emoji attributes and apply various artistic styles, including those powered by ChatGPT. Reminders can now be automatically categorised and action items identified through Apple Intelligence. Gaming and developer tools The release introduces the Apple Games app, centralising games, recommendations, and social features. Game Overlay provides fast access to system settings and social actions during gameplay. The new Metal 4 framework offers advanced graphics and rendering technologies for developers. Upcoming games for Mac include titles such as Crimson Desert, InZOI, Cyberpunk 2077, and several others, utilising features like MetalFX Upscaling and support for Apple's M3 and M4 chips with ray tracing. Additional features Other updates in macOS Tahoe include refreshed Safari design and faster performance, new features in Messages such as Backgrounds, Polls, and improved group chat navigation, as well as the launch of the Journal app for Mac. Photos receives a design update with personalisation improvements, FaceTime introduces a redesigned landing page and floating controls, and Notes gains markdown compatibility and support for audio transcription from Phone app calls. Accessibility developments include Magnifier support, Accessibility Reader, enhanced Braille Access, and Vehicle Motion Cues to help reduce motion sickness. The Passwords app tracks changes and version history for users' credentials. "macOS is the heart and soul of the Mac, and with Tahoe, we're building on what users love most. Whether you're a power user or just getting started on Mac, there's something for everyone, with even more features to turbocharge productivity and make working across Mac and iPhone more seamlessly than ever before," said Craig Federighi, Apple's Senior Vice President of Software Engineering. "With its gorgeous new design, amazing Continuity experiences, powerful enhancements to Spotlight, more intelligent shortcuts, and updates to Apple Intelligence, the Mac experience is better than ever."
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Apple's Spotlight on macOS Tahoe can now send emails and run shortcuts, not just open apps
With the macOS Tahoe , Spotlight is getting its biggest update ever that transform the Mac 's search feature into a powerful action centre capable of sending emails, creating notes, and running shortcuts without opening other apps. The revamped Spotlight can now perform hundreds of actions directly from the search interface, letting users complete tasks like playing podcasts, setting reminders, and composing messages without switching between applications. Apple says this makes Spotlight the fastest way to access content across your Mac. Quick Keys are the standout new feature: two-letter shortcuts that instantly jump to specific apps or actions. Type "SM" to send a message or "AR" to add a reminder, with options to create custom shortcuts for personal workflows. This brings Alfred and Raycast-style launcher functionality directly into macOS. The interface has been completely redesigned with intelligent ranking that groups all results – files, apps, messages, and events – together based on relevance. New filtering options let users narrow searches to specific file types like PDFs or Mail messages, while browse views make it easier to scan through apps, files, and clipboard history when you're not sure what you're looking for. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Retirement Village Coming To Alexandria - Take A Look At The Prices New York Retirement Village Click Here Undo Apple Intelligence integration makes Spotlight contextually aware, suggesting actions based on user habits and current work. The system learns routines and surfaces personalised shortcuts, like quickly messaging frequently contacted colleagues. Developers can integrate their apps using the App Intents API , making third-party actions searchable alongside Apple's built-in functions. Spotlight can also search through menu bar options in currently open apps, keeping hands on the keyboard for power users. The updates extend beyond Mac. Spotlight can now surface apps from connected iPhones through iPhone Mirroring and search documents stored on third-party cloud services. There's also clipboard history integration, addressing a long-requested feature from Mac users.
GSM Arena
8 hours ago
- GSM Arena
macOS Tahoe 26 brings overhauled Spotlight, Shortcuts and Live Activities
While its name might sound like a full-sized American SUV, macOS Tahoe 26 is actually named after Lake Tahoe, which sits right at the edge between California and Nevada. The update brings the new Liquid Glass design language we saw across the rest of Apple's new software portfolio. Some key features introduced with iOS 26, like Call Screening, Hold Assist, and Live Translation, are coming to macOS. Liquid Glass brings added depth, a transparent menu bar and Control Center as the most notable visual changes. Apple expanded the Control Center toggles and also added theme colors so you can make your desktop more unified. You can also select new folder colors and add emojis to them. Apple is bringing the Phone app to Macs, though it requires an active iPhone to work. You can take and receive calls and access your favorite contacts. Live Activities will now reside in the menu bar so you can check on food orders or ride-hailing requests, though like the Phone app, this feature works via Continuity from an iPhone. Spotlight gets one of its biggest updates ever. Users can now complete any tasks like sending emails, creating notes or launching Shortcuts all without opening any other apps. You can even use Spotlight to perform actions that are available inside its menu bar. Spotlight results are now listed and ranked based on relevance to the user. Shortcuts are also getting overhauled and can now be executed at predetermined times or from specific actions. Safari gets a visual overhaul in line with the new Liquid Glass design alongside improvements to loading speeds and battery life. Apple's Journal app is now available on Mac. The new Apple Games app is also here and brings a game overlay with controls for sound, brightness, paired controller and battery level. Apple is also bringing Metal 4 with Frame MetalFX, Frame Interpolation, and MetalFX Denoising. Users will also see a growing catalogue of games with more big titles coming soon. macOS Tahoe 26 is available in developer beta today. The public beta is coming next month, while the official release will drop this fall. Compatible with all of Apple Silicon Macs and Intel models with the T2 security chip (MacBook Pro, Air from 2018 onwards).
TechCrunch
9 hours ago
- TechCrunch
Here's what's coming to macOS Tahoe
At Monday's WWDC conference, Apple announced the new macOS Tahoe, which comes with a series of updates related to Apple Intelligence, continuity features with the iPhone, and Spotlight search. Apple's new 'Liquid Glass' design is coming to macOS Tahoe, making for a sleek, customizable look — yes, at long last, you can make your folder icons pink (or whatever other color you want). Like iOS 26, the macOS Tahoe design refresh has a more reflective, transparent style, like real glass. But behind the shiny update are other upgrades that leverage Apple Intelligence to improve the user experience. Image Credits:Apple MacOS Tahoe more closely ties in a user's iPhone, showing Live Activities from iOS (that thing that pops up on your lock screen and/or Dynamic Island to show you that your Uber Eats order is 17 minutes away). Thanks to Continuity features, Mac products will get a Phone app for the first time, which comes with other updates to the iOS Phone app like Call Screening and Hold Assist. Live Translation will also come to the Phone, Messages, and FaceTime apps. Some of the most substantial macOS Tahoe upgrades are coming via Spotlight, of all places. With the help of Apple's AI features, Spotlight will serve results 'intelligently,' predicting what you're most likely to be looking for, suggesting actions based on common activities or what you're currently working on. Image Credits:Apple Users can also carry out actions directly from Spotlight. The demo in Apple's WWDC keynote showed an Apple executive using Spotlight to type an email's subject line and body text, then send it to a recipient, all without even opening up the Mail app. The upgraded Spotlight also features quick keys, which allow users to customize short strings of characters to bring up a specific action. Apple gave the examples of typing 'AR' to let you add a reminder and 'SM' to send a message. Many other major updates to iOS 26 are also in Tahoe, including Genmoji and Image Playground updates, AI-supported reminders, a new Apple Games app, backgrounds and polls in Messages, and a new FaceTime landing page. The Journal app is also coming to Tahoe. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW MacOS Tahoe will be available in the fall, but a public beta will launch next month. Developers can access an early version now.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
macOS now has a phone app: Meet macOS Tahoe 26
Apple has previewed macOS Tahoe 26, its next major update, bringing a refreshed design and several productivity upgrades. The desktop, Dock, navigation, and toolbars now feature a more expressive look without losing their familiar feel. Users can customize more than ever, with a revamped Control Center and new color options for folders, icons, and widgets. The Phone app is now available on Mac, offering access to recent calls, contacts, voicemails, and features like Call Screening and Hold Assist. Live Activities from iPhone also show up on Mac, making it easier to track things like flights in real time. Spotlight has been overhauled, now supporting direct actions like sending emails or creating notes. Apple Intelligence also sees expanded features, including live translation, creative tools like Genmoji and Image Playground, and smarter automation via enhanced Shortcuts — all with privacy in mind. New Design The new macOS Tahoe design updates the look while keeping the familiar feel. It uses a translucent material called Liquid Glass that reflects its surroundings. The Dock, sidebars, and toolbars are simplified to focus more on your content, and the menu bar is now fully transparent for a more spacious display. You can customize which controls appear in the menu bar and Control Center and arrange them how you like. App icons adapt to light or dark modes with new colorful tints and a clear option. Folders can be recolored and personalized with symbols or emojis. Combined with custom wallpapers and themes, it's easier to make your Mac feel uniquely yours. You Might Also Like: What will your iPhone look like now? iOS 26 explained New Continuity Experiences with the Phone App and Live Activities The Phone app is now available on Mac through Continuity, letting users handle calls from their nearby iPhone. It includes familiar features like Recents, Favorites, and Voicemails, along with new ones like Call Screening, which answers unknown calls and asks for info before you pick up. Hold Assist helps users keep their place on hold while staying productive on their Mac. Live Activities from a nearby iPhone now show up in the Mac's menu bar, letting users track real-time updates like rides, flights, or sports scores. Clicking a Live Activity opens the app via iPhone Mirroring, so users can see more details and act directly from their Mac. Updated Spotlight Spotlight on Mac now makes searching easier and more intuitive. It shows all results like files, apps, messages, and more in one smartly ranked list. New filters help narrow down results quickly, like focusing on PDFs or emails. Spotlight can also find documents in third-party cloud drives. If you're unsure what to search for, browse views let you explore apps, files, clipboard history, and more. Users can now perform hundreds of actions directly from Spotlight like sending emails, creating notes, or playing podcasts without switching apps. Both Apple and third-party apps can offer actions through the App Intents API. Shortcuts and menu bar actions are also accessible without leaving the keyboard. Spotlight adapts to user habits, suggesting personalized actions, and includes quick keys for faster access to common tasks. You Might Also Like: What to expect from Apple's WWDC this year - in a nutshell Apple Intelligence Updates Apple Intelligence in macOS Tahoe adds new features while keeping user privacy intact. Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone lets users communicate across languages with automatic text and live caption translations, all processed on-device for privacy. Shortcuts gain smarter actions like text summarizing and image creation, with the option to use Apple Intelligence or ChatGPT for advanced tasks. Users can also set shortcuts to run automatically based on time or actions, like saving files. Genmoji and Image Playground offer more customization and new styles, including oil painting and vector art, plus the ability to describe exactly what you want. Reminders now use Apple Intelligence to identify key tasks from emails, notes, or websites and can automatically organize them for better productivity. Some more updates - Here's a concise summary of additional macOS Tahoe features: Safari gets a refreshed look with rounded tabs and a new sidebar. It's faster than Chrome and offers better battery life while streaming. Enhanced fingerprinting protection improves privacy by default. Messages adds Backgrounds, Polls, a redesigned details view, group typing indicators, easier contact adding, and more natural language search. Journal arrives on Mac, letting users write, organize, and view entries on a map, syncing across Apple devices Photos features Liquid Glass design, easier customization, pinned collections, and new sorting and filtering options FaceTime has a redesigned landing page with Contact Posters, floating Liquid Glass controls, and quick access to SharePlay and Live Translation. Notes now supports importing/exporting markdown files and recording Phone app conversations with transcriptions. Accessibility includes Magnifier using Continuity Camera, a new Accessibility Reader mode, improved Braille support, and Vehicle Motion Cues to reduce motion sickness. Passwords lets users track changes and view previous saved versions.
