macOS 10.13.5 High Sierra

2-06-2018, 03:14

macOS High Sierra is the latest version of Apple's desktop OS. The platform offers a new file storage system, supports High-Performance Video Coding (HEVC) technology and the advanced Metal technology created by Apple and opening up opportunities such as machine learning or virtual reality content creation. In addition, macOS High Sierra has improved many applications that Mac users work with every day, such as Photo, Safari, and Mail.

1. Apple File System
The Apple File System (APFS) with improved performance is safe and secure. The architecture is optimized for modern storage technologies designed for large capacity. APFS allows you to instantly perform daily activities, such as copying files or folders, ensures the safety of data in case of power outages and system failures, and also reliably protects files with built-in encryption. macOS High Sierra is fully compatible with previously formatted HFS disks for reading and writing and is designed with the further development of storage technologies.

2. Highly efficient video coding
Support for the HEVC industry standard (H.265) allows you to play 4K video files of excellent quality in normal and streaming mode, occupying up to 40% less space than the existing H.264 standard. Thanks to HEVC technology, Apple was able to stream high-quality video over networks that previously only HD video streaming was possible. And with the hardware acceleration features on the new iMac and MacBook Pro, HEVC editing and encoding processes are fast and energy efficient.

3. Metal 2
Metal is the fastest way to take advantage of Mac processor capabilities. Metal 2 technology with an improved API and increased performance allows developers to make applications even faster. It now supports machine learning capabilities used for machine vision, speech recognition and natural language processing. The most demanding users will gain access to external graphics processors through a combination of Thunderbolt 3 and Metal 2 technology. The External Graphics Developer Kit provides developers with all the software and hardware features needed to improve applications.

4. Virtual reality
MacOS High Sierra, based on the performance of Metal 2 and new Macs, supports virtual reality content creation capabilities for the first time, so developers can create new games, 3D content and virtual reality content on Mac. Leading virtual reality companies, in collaboration with Apple, are developing new tools for Mac that will be available later this year. For example, Valve will optimize the SteamVR virtual reality platform for macOS and provide support for the HTC Vive headset, while Unity and Epic will customize their virtual reality content development tools for macOS. In addition, later this year, Final Cut Pro X will add support for 360 degree professional streams with the ability to import, edit, and export spherical video.

5. Mac app enhancements
The Photo application in macOS High Sierra has a new sidebar with albums and sorting tools, which is always on the screen. The updated editing mode includes new powerful tools: “Curves” for fine-tuning color and contrast and “Detectable color” for changing the selected color. You can now apply funny effects to Live Photos, and the “Memories” function combines the user's photo and video in accordance with new themes. In the Photo application, external photo editors are now supported, so you can open Photoshop, Pixelmator and other applications directly from Photo, and edits are saved in the Photo library. For the first time thanks to the support of third-party extensions, users can print and publish images through the services of Animoto, ifolor, Shutterfly,
If you have a developer account, you can download macOS High Sierra beta right now.

Additional application improvements:

In Safari, you can automatically activate the Reader mode and open articles in an easy-to-read, concise way, while the Autoplay Blocking function blocks the automatic playback of audio media files in the browser.
Safari's Intelligent Tracking Prevention feature uses machine learning technology to detect and delete data that advertisers use to monitor user activity on the Internet.
Searching in Mail becomes faster and easier thanks to Top Hits: actual letters appear in the top lines of the list.
Siri's voice on Mac has become more natural and expressive, and when using Apple Music, the voice assistant takes into account your preferences, creates suitable playlists and answers questions about music.
Simple tables were added to the notes - now the user can type text in cells, edit tables and move rows and columns.
In Spotlight, you can find flight information, including arrival and departure times, flight delays, terminal or departure information, and even a map of your flight.
The iCloud File Sharing feature allows you to share any file from iCloud Drive and opens up new collaboration opportunities.

System requirements: