macOS Sierra

macOS Sierra Public Beta 2 released to testers

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 20, 2016

In addition to releasing a second public beta of iOS 10, macOS Sierra Public Beta 2 is now also available to those signed on the Apple Beta Software Program.

The third beta of Sierra was seeded to Apple's registered developers two days ago, and now public beta testers can take it for a spin (public beta 2 and developer beta 3 offer the same features).

The update should appear as an over-the-air download via the Software Update mechanism through the Mac App Store's Updates tab on Macs that run the first public beta and are enrolled in Apple's program.

Apple issues beta 3 of macOS Sierra to developers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

In addition to iOS 10 and tvOS 10, Apple also released the third beta of macOS Sierra to developers on Monday. The update is available for registered Mac developers in either the Updates tab of the Mac App Store, or in Apple's Dev center.

Today's beta 3 release comes just about two weeks after Apple issued beta 2, and just a little more than a month after the original developer beta was made available. The software, of course, was first introduced during Apple's WWDC keynote.

How to simulate tetherless ‘Hey Siri’ functionality on macOS Sierra like a pro

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 18, 2016

Apple advertises Siri as one of the headlining new features in the forthcoming macOS Sierra software update. Siri on the Mac performs in much the same way as it always has on an iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, except on the Mac tetherless 'Hey Siri' functionality is currently unsupported.

On iOS, tetherless 'Hey Siri' requires Apple's embedded M9 motion coprocessor to monitor microphone input without taxing the battery. Since the battery isn't a major concern with Macs, the decision not to implement 'Hey Siri' on Sierra is eyebrow-raising. As it turns out, you can easily simulate 'Hey Siri' on Sierra without resorting to dark magic, using a simple trickery.

Video walkthrough: everything new in macOS Sierra beta 2

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 17, 2024

A second beta of macOS Sierra was released to Apple's registered developers and public beta testers last week. In addition to turning on an anticipated new feature called Auto Unlock, the second beta of Sierra (build number “16A239j”) packs in iTunes 12.5, Dark Mode assets for some stock apps, a change of the Siri keyboard shortcut—which was clunky to begin with—and more.

Here's our video overview of everything that has changed in macOS Sierra beta 2 since its inaugural developer-only release at WWDC 2106.

Dark Mode discovered in Safari and System Preferences on macOS Sierra

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 12, 2016

It looks like iOS 10 may not be the only Apple operating system to include dark interface assets as Mac developer Guilherme Rambo tweeted out a number of screenshots showing a dark interface theme in several stock applications on macOS Sierra, including Safari and System Preferences.

This mode is different in appearance than macOS's existing setting for enabling dark menu bar and the Dock in System Preferences → General.

Check out system requirements for Auto Unlock to see if your Mac is supported

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 25, 2023

Some features of Apple's operating systems are hardware-dependent, for one reason or another. iOS 10 and macOS Sierra are no exceptions. For example, Raise to Wake on iOS 10 requires devices with Apple's embedded M9 motion coprocessor, currently found in the iPhone 6s/Plus and iPhone SE.

Following our preview of Auto Unlock, we noticed that commenters are wondering if this feature requires any special hardware so here are Apple's official system requirements for Auto Unlock.

Public betas for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra now available

Cody Lee ∙ July 7, 2016

Apple on Thursday seeded public betas for both iOS 10 and macOS Sierra. The releases, which come just a few days after beta 2 of both software updates pushed out to developers, can be downloaded by members of Apple's Beta Software Program.

iOS 10 brings about a number of changes, including a refreshed Messages app with tons of new features, enhanced notifications, Spotlight widgets, and much more. There aren't quite as many changes in macOS Sierra, but it compliments iOS 10 nicely.

iOS 10 and macOS Sierra launching for public beta testing today

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 7, 2016

Apple will be releasing iOS 10 and macOS Sierra betas to public beta testers who enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program, The Verge reports. iOS 10 is turning out to be much more than another release, with dozens of refinements and little things on top of headlining new features, some of which allow developers to build apps for the stock Messages, Maps and Phone apps, as well as integrate with Siri.

macOS Sierra preview: Auto Unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 25, 2023

Auto Unlock, a new feature in macOS Sierra, gives you instant access to your Mac when you’re wearing an Apple Watch. As its marketing name suggest, Auto Unlock is seamless. You simply wake your Mac from sleep while wearing your watch, and boom—just like that, you’re logged in and ready to go, no password typing required. Here's our entertaining video walkthrough of Auto Unlock and a detailed overview of the feature for those interested in its inner workings and intricacies.

macOS Sierra beta 2 released to Apple’s registered developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 5, 2016

Apple today pushed a second beta of macOS Sierra following the original developer-only preview of the desktop operating system that was made available following the June 13 WWDC keynote. Members of the Apple Developer Program can install macOS Sierra beta 2 (build number “16A239j”) on their computers running a prior beta through the Software Update mechanism.

A closer look at Differential Privacy in iOS 10 and macOS Sierra

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2016

Making Apple services even smarter and more personalized entails processing troves of information because intelligence is driven by big data. The fact that iOS 9's proactive features don't tap into the cloud has served Apple well thus far. But since Google Assistant came to light, people have been wondering if Apple can compete without resorting to raw data collection Google is infamous for.

iOS 10 and macOS Sierra represent Apple's refined approach to privacy, which revolves around new techniques collectively known as Differential Privacy. An en vogue statistical method, Differential Privacy helps Apple deliver smarter services without compromising privacy of their users.

It's a relatively unproven technique with lots of potential which hasn’t been used to boost Apple's services before iOS 10 and macOS Sierra. Here's a closer look at Differential Privacy, how it powers intelligence and proactiveness and why it should serve Apple better than Google's bulk data collection and analysis.

Apple confirms its new Differential Privacy feature will be opt-in only

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 28, 2017

iOS 10 and macOS Sierra tap into an interesting technology, called Differential Privacy, which makes possible data collection from a large number of users without compromising individual user's security and privacy. Re/code has now learned from Apple that Differential Privacy will be opt-in only, meaning privacy-minded folks won't be required to use the feature unless they specifically want to.

Bottom line: Apple won’t collect your data to make its services a lot smarter unless you specifically let it.