Apple officially released macOS 27 Golden Gate on September 14 and the OS update finally brings the new Siri AI experience to Mac devices. Apple announced macOS 27 Golden Gate at WWDC in June and the developer beta has been available for months. So while the new operating system doesn’t bring any big surprises, it does provide users with updates big and small. If you have a Mac device that supports the new macOS and Siri AI, these are the top features we recommend trying after the update. Siri AI Credit: Apple We have to start with the top news: you can finally try the new and improved Siri AI, powered by Google Gemini. Apple explained how the new Siri will work at WWDC, and the company has emphasized that its new cloud-based private cloud computing platform will provide high levels of privacy. Siri now comes in a standalone app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users, and the smart assistant will be integrated into the entire user experience. The new Siri can: Generate text, make writing and editing suggestions, and write and send email Analyze what your camera sees to identify objects or provide context using visual intelligence Answer questions or take action based on the user’s screen using on-screen awareness Access a wide range of applications to find information, take action, and answer users’ questions. Remember your conversations and directions in the new dedicated Siri app. Users can also customize Siri’s voice to be more expressive and can change the tone, pitch, and rhythm of the assistant’s voice. Change the pitch, speed, pitch, and accent of Siri’s voice. Credit: Apple Siri can now perform actions in a wide range of apps Credit: Apple New photo editing tools, including Spatial ReframingSpatial Reframing is one of the most interesting new AI tools revealed at WWDC. This tool allows users to adjust the angle of photos once taken. It’s just one of the new AI photo editing capabilities coming with macOS 27. In the Photos app, users can also clean up and enlarge photos in new ways. Credit: Apple New Parental and Child Safety Controls Do any kids or teens in your house use a Mac, or maybe a MacBook Neo? Apple has added new parental controls to macOS 27 Golden Gate. Mashable Lightspeed Credit: Apple For example, by going to “Family” in the “Settings” menu, parents can now set a screen time schedule. And to help make informed decisions, parents can also access a quick view of their children’s average device usage and the top apps they use. Parents can also receive automatic messages when their children want to access a new website through a new tool called Ask to Explore. Learn more on Apple’s Parental Safety website. Group Tabs in Safari Credit: Apple Are you the kind of person who always has about 30 different tabs open at once? Now there’s a better way to organize all those tabs. You can now organize your tabs into groups like “Vacation Planning” or “Work Stuff.” Describe a shortcut Shortcuts are probably one of the most underrated Apple software tools. With a shortcut, you can automate certain workflows and actions. For example, you can set up a shortcut that automatically edits and resizes photos once they are added to a specific folder. The reason shortcuts are underused? They are difficult to set up if you are not tech savvy. However, now you can let Siri AI and macOS set up the shortcut for you with Describe a shortcut. Simply describe the type of shortcut you have in mind and let the operating system do the rest. An improved experience in Maps According to Apple, you will be able to see even more details and information in Maps. For example, “Flyover now uses aerial imagery combined with Visual Intelligence models to render everything from architectural elements to the shapes of individual trees in stunning, sharp detail.” General System Improvements Visual Intelligence with Siri AI in macOS 27 Golden Gate Credit: Apple This is a little tricky to appreciate right away, but all new operating systems bring small improvements and enhancements to the overall user experience, at least in theory. Apple promises that macOS 27 Golden Gate will provide users with faster AirDrop transfers, faster file browsing, and faster loading times for apps and websites. The improvements to Liquid Glass should also fix some of the visibility issues that sometimes occurred in iOS 26 and macOS 26. Future updates for macOS 27Apple has also announced some features that will be released in later versions of the operating system, such as: Tips: Messages and Mail will soon offer suggestions for taking quick actions based on context clues, such as how to attach a photo or enter flight information. Fix passwords with one click: “The Passwords app alerts you to weak or compromised passwords and can update them on your behalf seamlessly.” What devices are compatible with macOS 27? Apple says macOS 27 Golden Gate is available for the following devices: MacBook Neo (2026) MacBook Air with Apple Silicon (2020 and later) MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon (2020 and later) iMac with Apple Silicon (2021 and later) Mac mini with Apple Silicon (2020 and later) Mac Studio (2022 and later) Mac Pro with Apple Silicon (2023) Pre-order new Apple products. Along with iOS 27, Apple also launched new AirPods, Apple Watches, and iPhones. Except for the iPhone Duo, all of these devices are available for pre-order now. Save up to $1,200 on T-Mobile Save up to $1,200 on T-Mobile
