WWDC 2017: Apple reveals macOS High Sierra

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

San Jose, CA - Along with a slew of hardware updates and releases as well as the first look at iOS 11, Apple revelaed macOS High Sierra as the next update to the Mac operating system. 

macOS High Sierra brings a lot of new feaures including new core storage, video and graphics technologies that pave the way for future innovation on the Mac, coming this fall as a free software update in the Mac App Store.

macOS High Sierra offers an all-new file system, support for High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) and an update to Metal, Apple’s advanced graphics technology. The update also includes refinements to Photos, Safari and Mail.

“macOS High Sierra delivers important forward-looking technologies and new opportunities for developers wanting to tap into the power of machine learning and create immersive VR content on the Mac,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “The core technology innovations in macOS High Sierra, combined with our advances in hardware, will continue to push the Mac forward in exciting new ways.”

VR or Virtual Reality is a key component to the underpinnings of macOS Sierra, now making it possible for more powerful Macs to run VR applications. Leading VR companies are joining Apple to drive VR innovation on the Mac with features coming later this year — Valve is optimizing their SteamVR platform for macOS and enabling connection of the HTC Vive headset, while Unity and Epic are bringing their VR development tools to macOS. 

macOS High Sierra will be available as a public beta and will be a free upgrade for Macs this fall.