Sierra, also known as macOS 10.12, is the 13th version of OS X, released on September 20, 2016. It followed El Capitan (OS X 10.11) and is preceded by macOS High Sierra. Sierra was the first version of OS X that Apple officially labeled “macOS” instead of OS X.
Like other incremental releases of Apple’s desktop operating system, Sierra built on previous versions, incorporating the same user interface and adding several new features. Notably, Sierra was designed to work more seamlessly with other Apple devices, such as iPhones and Apple Watches. For example, Sierra was the first version of macOS to support Universal Clipboard, which allows you to copy something on your phone and paste it on your Mac, or vice versa. It also supports automatic login using an Apple Watch. Safari, the web browser included with macOS Sierra, supports Apple Pay using an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Sierra also increased iCloud integration by syncing the Desktop and Documents folders with iCloud drive. This makes it easier to keep files consistent across multiple Macs. It was also the first version of Apple’s desktop OS to include Siri, Apple’s voice assistant that was introduced in iOS. Siri can be accessed by clicking the icon in the right side of the menu bar or by pressing and holding Command+Space Bar. You can speak commands, such as “Show my Downloads folder” or “Make the screen brighter,” instead of performing the actions with your keyboard and mouse.
NOTE: Before Mac OS X (introduced in 2001), Apple’s desktop operating system was called “Mac OS.” With the release of Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8) in 2012, Apple changed the name from Mac OS X to just “OS X.” The switch to “macOS” with Sierra marks a return to the “Mac OS” name, while using the same naming convention as Apple’s other operating systems – iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
macOS Sierra (version 10.12) is the thirteenth major release of Apple’s macOS operating system for Mac computers, introduced on September 20, 2016. Sierra followed OS X El Capitan (10.11) and marked a transition to the new macOS naming convention, reflecting a more cohesive brand with Apple’s other operating systems like iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
Key Features and Enhancements in macOS Sierra:
- Siri Integration:
- Voice Assistant: Sierra introduced Siri to the Mac, bringing Apple’s voice-activated assistant to the desktop. Users could use Siri to search for files, set reminders, send messages, and perform various tasks using voice commands.
- Universal Clipboard:
- Cross-Device Copy and Paste: Universal Clipboard allowed users to copy content on one Apple device and paste it on another. This feature enabled seamless transfer of text, images, and other data between Macs, iPhones, and iPads.
- Apple Pay on the Web:
- Online Payments: macOS Sierra added support for Apple Pay in Safari, enabling users to make secure online purchases using Apple Pay. Users could authenticate transactions using their iPhone or Apple Watch.
- Optimized Storage:
- Disk Space Management: Sierra introduced tools for managing disk space more effectively. Optimized Storage automatically removed unnecessary files, such as old documents and cache files, and stored infrequently used files in iCloud to free up local disk space.
- iCloud Drive Desktop and Documents Sync:
- File Syncing: Sierra extended iCloud Drive to include desktop and documents folders, allowing users to sync and access these files across all their Apple devices.
- Picture-in-Picture:
- Multitasking: Picture-in-Picture mode allowed users to watch videos in a small, floating window that stayed on top of other applications. This feature provided a more flexible way to view video content while working on other tasks.
- New Privacy Controls:
- Enhanced Privacy: Sierra included new privacy features, such as the ability to manage app permissions more effectively and control how apps access personal data and system resources.
- Safari Updates:
- Performance and Features: Safari saw several updates in Sierra, including improved performance, better privacy controls (such as intelligent tracking prevention), and features like automatic tab switching and support for Apple Pay on the web.
- Revamped Finder:
- Enhanced Functionality: Finder received updates including a new sidebar design, improved search capabilities, and the ability to tag files for better organization and retrieval.
- Messages App Enhancements:
- Message Effects: The Messages app was updated with new features like emoji search, sticker support, and message effects, providing a richer messaging experience similar to what was available on iOS.
- Night Shift:
- Screen Color Adjustment: Night Shift, originally introduced on iOS, was added to macOS Sierra. It adjusts the color temperature of the display to reduce blue light exposure in the evening, which can help improve sleep quality.
In Summary:
macOS Sierra (10.12) is the thirteenth version of Apple’s macOS operating system, released in 2016. It introduced several new features and enhancements aimed at improving productivity and user experience. Key updates included the integration of Siri, Universal Clipboard for seamless cross-device copy and paste, and support for Apple Pay on the web. Sierra also offered features like optimized storage, iCloud Drive syncing for desktop and documents, Picture-in-Picture mode, and improved privacy controls. The update refined the overall macOS experience and enhanced integration with Apple’s broader ecosystem of devices and services.