Apple’s Big Sur macOS update adds big Safari redesign, Messages tweaks

Big Sur.

Yes, that’s the name of the next version of Apple’s macOS. Whether you love or hate the name, Apple showed off a bunch of the operating system’s new features at WWDC 2020, and Mac users will almost certainly find something to like here.

At its core, Big Sur still retains the basic look of macOS, with an app dock lining the bottom of the screen, a toolbar at the top, and any open windows occupying the space in between. Things are spaced out a little further apart, though, letting whatever photo you’ve chosen as your background shine through a bit more. Apple didn’t go into this in hugely specific detail, but apparently some features will only show up when they’re needed to keep things clean.

Safari, enhanced

Perhaps the biggest upgrade in macOS Big Sur is what Apple’s done with Safari. The Mac’s native web browser is getting a customizable home page with the option to set a background image, built-in language translation à la Google Chrome, and more support for extensions…again, just like Chrome. You’ll also be able to mouse over any open tabs to see a small preview window of what lies inside, in case you’re one of those people who keeps way too many tabs open at once. 

There’s also a new Privacy Report feature, situated to the left of the URL bar at the top of the browser. It’ll show you which trackers are active on a given webpage and let you choose which Safari extensions work with which sites.

More fun with Messages

Folks who like to use the Messages app can now add effects like confetti to texts or even easily search for GIFs, bringing the app closer in line to the iOS experience. 

Messaging is getting a bunch of enhancements across Apple’s platforms, which will also apply to Big Sur. Those include inline replies for threaded conversations and direct tagging if you really need to notify one person in a group text. Plus, you can set a photo or emoji as the icon for the group text now.

And some other goodies

Apple Maps is also getting a feature update with electric vehicle and cycling routes, but those features will be coming to all of Apple’s ecosystem, not just the Big Sur update. Indoor spaces like airports and malls will get some mapping in Apple Maps now, too. 

This may not be Apple’s most revolutionary macOS update of all time, but it’s for sure the only one with a name like Big Sur.