As many readers know I have long awaited the release of the latest version of macOS High Sierra. I guess it’s the computer geek in me but the release of a new desktop OS always sparks my interest more than the release of iOS. The same goes for Windows and even ChromeOS at times.

Apple High Sierra has a lot of new features including the long-awaited new Apple File System (APFS) which I have to say it way overdue considering they have been running the same file system for almost 20 years is very impressive.

High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) was released for macOS High Sierra just like iOS last week this seems to be the new standard for Apple when it comes to 4K video. Users can watch 4K video files at full quality while requiring 40 percent less storage space than the current H.264 standard. Developers like Adobe, Blackmagic Design, GoPro and more are joining Apple in adopting HEVC.

MacOS High Sierra Metal is Apple’s advanced graphics technology adding machine learning capabilities for speech recognition, natural language processing, and computer vision. Metal 2 API has been used by developers, including Unity, Epic, Valve, and Pixelmator to date. Core ML takes full advantage of Metal as well in the new macOS High Sierra.

MacOS High Sierra adds support for VR enabling developers to create immersive gaming, 3D and VR content on the Mac. Later this year, Final Cut Pro X will add support for professional 360-degree VR workflows with the ability to import, edit and export 360-degree video on the Mac.

Photos got a big update live photos can now be edited with fun effects, software like Photoshop, Pixelmator, and other apps can be launched from Photos, with edits saved back to the Photos library which is something all of us have been asking about for a long time glad to see this finally. Apple added publishing services to pictures now supporting sites like Shutterfly, WhiteWall, Wix, ifolor, Mimeo, and Mpix.

Safari added the feature that Chrome and others have added stopping media with audio from automatically playing in the browser, and Reader can automatically open articles in a clean, uncluttered format. A new security feature called intelligent tracking prevention in Safari detects and eliminates cookies and cross-site tracking.

Siri, Notes, and Spotlight got small updates you can read about on Apple Blog.

If you have a MacBook Pro with a touch bar like mine you get new Control Strip options plus an improved color picker and more video controls. Thank makes me very happy 🙂

I love the new MacOS High Sierra I believe it has lived up to the hype and despite Apple desktop OS never getting the attention the iPhone gets it’s still great that Apple has put a lot of work into macOS and it integrates great with their awesome computer hardware. May people forget Apple was a great PC maker before a phone manufacturer.