macOS Golden Gate Public Beta Now Available
▼ Summary
– The first public beta of macOS Golden Gate is now available for non-developers via Apple’s beta website and System Settings.
– Siri AI features include web search, personal data lookup, cross-app actions, a dedicated Siri app, and ongoing conversations.
– Visual Intelligence lets Siri analyze and answer questions about content on the Mac screen.
– The Liquid Glass design has been updated with an opacity slider, better content diffusion, and deeper UI separation to highlight the active window.
– New features include Write with Siri for text generation and editing, AI photo editing tools, natural language automations in Shortcuts, and performance improvements on older Macs.
Apple has officially opened the gates to its next major operating system update, releasing the first public beta of macOS Golden Gate for all users. Starting today, non-developers can join the testing program by visiting Apple’s beta website, then navigating to System Settings > General > Software Update and selecting the macOS 27 beta toggle.
The centerpiece of this release is a deeply integrated Siri AI experience, mirroring the capabilities found in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. On the Mac, Siri is accessed through Spotlight using the Command + Space shortcut, or via a dedicated Siri app. The assistant can now search the web for answers, scan your personal data,including photos, emails, and messages,to locate information, and execute actions both within and between applications. Users can also hold ongoing, natural conversations with Siri. A standout addition is Visual Intelligence, which lets Siri analyze whatever is on your screen and respond to queries about that content.
The visual identity of macOS has also been refined. The Liquid Glass design language introduced last year receives an update, including a new system-wide transparency slider for controlling overall opacity. The Liquid Glass effect now better diffuses complex backgrounds, while other UI tweaks add greater depth and separation, making active windows easier to distinguish. Toolbars across apps are now uniform, featuring clearer headings and controls, and windows have shed their dramatically rounded corners. Sidebars are no longer floating; they now extend edge-to-edge, and window positioning across external displays is more consistent.
Productivity gets a boost with Write with Siri, which can generate text from scratch, correct grammar, or provide writing feedback. The Photos app gains new AI editing tools, and in Shortcuts, users can create automations using natural language requests. Search functionality has been enhanced in both Mail and Messages. Apple also promises multiple performance improvements across the board, aiming for a faster, smoother experience even on older Mac hardware.
For a comprehensive breakdown of everything new in macOS 27, check out our full macOS Golden Gate roundup.
(Source: MacRumors)
