Apple Introduces macOS Mojave With Dark Mode, Desktop Stacks, Redesigned App Store, And More

The new version is macOS 10.14 known as macOS Mojave to continue the naming scheme of California landmarks. The macOS Mojave update has a number of new features including Dark Mode, Desktop Stacks, a redesigned Mac App Store, and more. The Dark Mode is designed to impact almost every part of the OS including the windows, files, dock, UI, top bar, and even the desktop. Speaking of which, the Dark Mode includes support for dynamic desktops that change the appearance of the operating system and wallpaper throughout the day from morning to afternoon to evening. The changes also apply to Apple’s native mac apps, and there’s a developer API for third party apps to gain the same style. The Dark Mode feature ties in with the Mojave name as Apple explained how the desert looks beautiful at night, and so does Dark Mode in macOS.

Beyond Dark Mode, the Desktop is gaining a new Stacks feature to replicate the feature from the dock and build upon it for the Desktop. Desktop Stacks can automatically stack files on your desktop into clean groups based on file type, date, or tags. Apple also updated Finder with a new Gallery view with large document previews above small thumbnails, reminiscent of the classic Cover Flow view. Gallery View includes a new sidebar that can show image metadata, as well as a new Quick Actions panel that supports image markup, PDF editing, and customizable Automator actions. Quick Look has been updated as well with a similar Quick Actions set up to edit files without ever opening them. Mojave has enhanced screenshots also with a new saved thumbnail option that you can click on to bring up editing controls right away. Screen video capture is built right into the new Screenshot panel as well.

Additionally, Mojave features a number of iOS connections including desktop versions of News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home. Each Mac version is built upon the iOS frameworks, and delivers a similar feature set. Group FaceTime came as part of iOS 12 to support video calls with up to 32 users simultaneously, and the functionality is built into Mojave. Apple has also improved Continuity features in macOS Mojave with a new Continuity Camera allowing your Mac to initiate photo taking and document scanning on your iOS device, and have the image transferred right on to your Mac.

The Mac App Store is getting an all new redesign in macOS Mojave. The redesign is similar to the changes to the iOS 11 App Store, highlighted by new editorial content for app discovery. There are brand new tabs to Discover, Create, Work, Play, and Develop with curated app collections based on specific purposes. The Mac App Store will also gain new video previews as well as a more prominent ratings and reviews section. Mojave includes improved security and privacy revolving around enhancements to Safari. There is an enhanced Intelligent Tracking Prevention system to block social media buttons and comment widgets from tracking users. Safari also presents each Mac in a simplified way, so that when users browse the webs, all Macs look the same.

macOS Mojave will be available this fall as a fee update and is compatible with Macs introduced in mid-2012 or later, as well as 2010 and 2012 Mac Pro models with Metal-capable graphics cards.