Apple just unveiled macOS 27 Golden Gate, the next evolution of its Mac operating system, with a massive focus on a revamped Siri, now dubbed Siri AI. This update ditches Intel Macs entirely, exclusively supporting Apple Silicon devices.
Siri AI is Apple's answer to advanced chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, aiming to offer a more intelligent and integrated experience. While many features are systemwide, some advanced capabilities, like an improved Voice Mode, require newer M3 Macs or later with at least 12 GB of RAM, potentially excluding older MacBook Air and MacBook Neo models. Additionally, due to regulatory hurdles, Siri AI won't be available in the EU or China at launch.
The developer beta for macOS Golden Gate is out now, with a public beta set for July. Apple strongly advises against using developer betas on primary machines due to potential bugs and compatibility issues. For those eager to test, signing up for a developer account and enabling Developer Mode, after backing up your system, will make the update visible in System Settings.
Siri AI brings a dedicated app, screen awareness, and enhanced context to the Mac. Built on Google's Gemini, it boasts improved natural language processing and computer vision. It's deeply integrated systemwide, accessible via right-click context menus and Spotlight. For instance, you can select files in Finder, right-click, and prompt Siri AI directly. Spotlight will now automatically use Siri AI for relevant questions, opening a chat window. The new Visual Intelligence allows Siri to analyze screenshots, answering questions or taking actions based on image content.
Beyond Siri, macOS Golden Gate integrates Apple Intelligence into core apps. Safari introduces "Topics" for automatic tab organization and "Custom Extensions" creatable with natural language. The Passwords app will also automatically update insecure website logins. The Shortcuts app now allows users to create automated workflows using natural language, such as "Whenever I'm leaving work, calculate the ETA, and send it to Pedro." Calendar events can be created with natural language, auto-populating details, and Image Playground leverages Gemini for photorealistic image generation, with limits potentially lifted by iCloud+ subscriptions.
While AI takes center stage, visual refinements are also present. The "Liquid Glass" effect from macOS Tahoe gets an update, with enhanced transparency to improve text readability, customizable via System Settings. Other UI tweaks include a uniform toolbar, full-width sidebars, colored sidebar icons, and consistent corner radii on window control buttons. Apple also promises improved responsiveness in memory usage, CPU performance, display rendering, and app switching, with smoother transitions between Spaces and Mission Control.
