macOS 13 wishlist: Top 7 features we hope to see at WWDC

Apple introduced lately that its Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) might be held the week of June 6. Whereas it’s an occasion for builders, WWDC is the occasion that Mac fanatics sit up for, as a result of Apple takes this chance to introduce the subsequent variations of its working programs, together with macOS.

Apple will doubtless unveil macOS 13 at WWDC22, and although we haven’t heard a lot about it from the rumor mill simply but, we do have ideas on what we’d prefer to see within the subsequent main revision of macOS. Right here is our wishlist for macOS 13.

Fixes, optimizations, and stability

If Apple Senior VP of Software program Engineering Craig Federighi got here on stage and mentioned, “macOS [insert name-of-idyllic-California-location-that-fits-the-macOS-nomenclature here] will function ONLY optimizations and updates to make it essentially the most steady OS on the planet,” dropped the mic, and walked off stage, I’d be very glad. Quite a lot of Mac customers could be completely satisfied, too, as a result of that’s all many people really need: fixes to persistent points, optimizations to make it run as effectively as doable, and stabilizations so we will cease worrying in sure conditions.

MacOS has lengthy had nagging points that not everybody experiences, however loads of customers are affected. For instance, memory leaks are nonetheless problematic for a big phase of Mac customers. You will discover loads of on-line solutions for fixes from fellow customers, however the issue doesn’t appear to have one easy repair.

However alas, there’s a advertising threat to this method, and Apple takes advertising significantly. iOS and iPadOS are continuously evolving and including new options, and Apple’s Mac {hardware} renaissance makes it practically not possible for the corporate to take such a simplistic method to macOS 13. New options are what Apple makes use of to point out off the brand new OS, however let’s hope they’re accompanied by the upkeep macOS wants.

Time Machine iCloud backups

This was on our wishlist final 12 months and it didn’t occur, so it’s again this 12 months. Having an offsite backup is sweet observe in case the worst occurs, and Time Machine might be up to date to assist each an area and on-line backup.

Apple already permits iPhone and iPad backups to iCloud, and macOS has already carried out many options present in iOS and iPadOS, so it’s time for Time Machine to hitch the fray. If on-line retailer capability is a priority, Apple sells 200GB of iCloud+ storage for $2.99 a months or 2TB for $9.99 a month. For Mac backups, Apple might promote an in-between plan for $5 a month that provides 1TB, which needs to be lots for many machines.

Foundry

Management Middle enhancements

Apple introduced Management Middle in macOS 11 Large Sur, and with out it, my menu bar would look much more ridiculous than it already does. Management Middle helps cleans up loads of the menu bar muddle but it surely has only a few customization choices. A number of the buttons are everlasting, so even for those who do need, say, Wi-Fi standing to look within the menu bar, it should additionally keep in Management Middle. And there are solely three different non-compulsory modules you possibly can add.

Management Middle must be extra like it’s on iOS—it has extra controls out there, the flexibility to take away modules, and assist for Residence Controls. On the Mac, it may even go additional with menu bar cleanup by supporting third-party apps—with the notch on the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Professional, Management Middle can be utilized to chop down the icons within the menu bar and provides it a cleaner look.

Foundry

App Library

App Library on the iPhone organizes apps by class robotically, a helpful operate that may be nice on the Mac too. App Library might exchange the comparatively ineffective Launchpad, and it might additionally incorporate the updates that we would like to see in App Library for iOS.

Within the grand scheme of the Mac, nonetheless, App Library, Launchpad, and different app organizational instruments are low precedence Mac options, as a result of Mac apps exist in another way than on iOS or iPadOS. On the latter two, apps exist on the floor of the UI, so group is a main concern. On the Mac, you launch macOS to a Desktop—you don’t even see your app icons for those who don’t need to. Additionally, the Mac expertise tends to be extra file-focused; customers typically open recordsdata by double-clicking them, which launches the app.

However synergy is at all times good. As somebody who makes use of and tries all kinds of apps, typically I’ve an app that performs a operate I want in the mean time however gained’t use it fairly often, and I’ve forgotten about it. App Library would actually assist rediscover software program already on my Mac.

Apple/IDG

Password supervisor

Apple does a reasonably good job of storing passwords for you thru iCloud Keychain, but it surely’s a little bit little bit of a problem to handle them. Logins for web sites are managed in Safari’s preferences, whereas you need to use the Keychain Entry app (positioned in Purposes>Utilities) to handle all of your passwords. However Keychain Entry is way from a user-friendly app.

Having a single password administration app with a pleasant person interface would make it simpler to handle all of the passwords you employ. And it doesn’t have to exchange Keychain Entry, which might nonetheless be out there for certificates administration, one thing loads of shoppers don’t care about.

Apple might additionally provide an choice to universally flip off the built-in password supervisor. Many customers have invested in third-party password managers akin to 1Password or Dashlane as a result of they need cross-platform compatibility. At the moment, for those who don’t need to retailer a password in Apple’s system, it’s important to do it on a case-by-case foundation—and for those who do occur to retailer a password in each Apple’s and a third-party supervisor, you possibly can run into awkward overlapping of pop-up menus.

Foundry

Make Picture Sales space extra like Clips

I wager you forgot about Picture Sales space. It comes on each Mac and it’s an app that works with the webcam so you possibly can report movies of your self. It has a small set of results that distort your face, akin to Nostril Twirl, Sepia, Fish Eye, and Thermal Digital camera.

I wager you additionally didn’t know that for the iPhone, Apple has a free app known as Clips. It’s mainly Apple’s try and get in on the motion of social networks like TikTok and Instagram. You’ll be able to create enjoyable movies in Clips which you can share or use for an extended video. What’s nice about Clips is its strong set of results. You’ll be able to show your self as a Memoji, use filters, add textual content, place stickers, or embrace emoji. You’ll be able to even add music to the background. You’ll be able to herald images and movies you already shot with the common iPhone digital camera and “Clip” it up.

So why not replace Picture Sales space to be extra like Clips? The Mac’s cameras may be a problem, although, as a result of they’re nothing just like the 12MP TrueDepth cameras on the iPhone, so options like Memoji will not be doable. But it surely might nonetheless provide Clips’ Stay Titles, Scenes, Textual content, and different options.

Apple’s M1 Macs can run iPhone and iPads apps, however Clips can’t be downloaded on the Mac. Apple might merely convey the Clips app over to macOS 13, however that may imply it may’t run on Intel Macs, which Apple mentioned it might proceed to assist for just a few extra years. Updating Picture Sales space would clear up that drawback.

Foundry

Rename System Preferences to Settings

MacOS has System Preferences. iOS and iPadOS has Settings. They’re basically the identical factor (they even have the identical icon), the place the place you regulate the varied system and app settings for every gadget. It’s time to rename System Preferences to Settings—we favor the shorter title. I’m positive Apple’s documentation editors would possibly shudder on the thought because it means they’d should replace a ton of assist docs, manuals, and extra. However the extra uniformity between OSes the place applicable, the higher, even in small particulars like naming.

Some individuals would possibly go as far as to choose a redesign macOS’s System Preferences so it seems extra like iOS’s settings, however I don’t suppose it must go there. They’re each designed for his or her respective screens, and macOS needs to be allowed to reap the benefits of its display actual property.

All the pieces that was on our macOS 12 wishlist

A big portion of our macOS 12 wishlist didn’t come true, and a few these (Time Machine Cloud backups, Management Middle) are reiterated on this record. However there are just a few others from that macOS 12 record we nonetheless need to see, akin to an Apple Pockets app, Desktop Widgets, and Apple Well being and Health+. If Apple made all of our needs from this record and final 12 months’s record come true, macOS 13 might actually be a mammoth launch.