2D Combo System Prototype Mac OS
A new macOS that welcomes the arrival of Apple Silicon and offers better integration with mobile platforms, along with fresh visuals and a host of other features
Mac OS X Combo Update 10.1.5 Update 10.1.5 delivers enhancements which improve the reliability of Mac OS X applications, delivers improved networking, security, support for PC Card serial communication devices, and expanded peripheral device support.
What's new in macOS Big Sur 11.3 Build 20E232:
Apple releases a new version of the Mac operating system almost every year, but it won't support every Mac. Each year more and more Macs fall by the wayside, unable to be updated to take advantage. QCAD is an open-source 2D drafting software built to run on Windows, Linux and more importantly the Mac operating system. This simplistic drafting software makes the list due to its extensive features and drawing tools which make learning its use quite easy for just about anyone.
- macOS Big Sur 11.3 adds support for AirTag, includes iPhone and iPad app improvements for Macs with M1, introduces separate skin tone variations for emoji with couples, and adds more diverse voice options for Siri.
- AirTag and Find My:
Big Sur represents a major redesign of Apple's macOS, appropriately marked by the first major version number change in 20 years; yes, we're finally on macOS 11.0.
This update coincides with the release of Apple's very first in-house ARM-based SoC for Macs, and we can see why. Big Sur was designed with these new chips in mind, and it provides further integration with iOS and iPadOS.
Visual redesign
While changes are made with each major macOS release, Big Sur stands out. Apple uses a whole new color palette for 11.0, and they've added full-height sidebars, refreshed toolbars, and rounded-square icon designs that bring some consistency to macOS and across Apple's ecosystem.
One can't help but notice that the new icons look very similar to the ones on iOS and iPadOS, and that's obviously intended. Along with native support for iOS and iPadOS apps on Apple Silicon-powered Macs, it's clear that the company is looking to bridge the gap between these systems and get closer to a unified platform.
New Control Center and Notification Center
The similarities to Apple's mobile OSes continue. You will now have access to a handy set of controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, music controls, etc. — all from a Control Center that looks almost identical to the ones on iOS and iPadOS.
The renewed Notification Center is a similar story. It now combines notifications and widgets, just like on the mobile platforms, and it looks very similar as well. You can now access it by just clicking the date in the menu bar.
Support for Apple Silicon Macs
The timing of the M1 announcement wasn't an accident, as these chips will only run on the new macOS. While the capabilities of Apple Silicon have yet to be put to the test, it certainly looks like Intel's CPUs have been holding Apple back in multiple regards.
Naturally, all built-in Mac apps will support these new processors, with developers expected to roll out universal binaries that support both architectures. Many have already done so, and Rosetta 2 will allow users to run apps that haven't yet been ported.
Run iOS and iPadOS apps natively on macOS
For many people, this will be the most exciting feature of the new OS. You will now be able to run any mobile app on Big Sur natively, provided your device is powered by one of Apple's ARM-based chips. For now, that includes the 2020 M1 MacBook Air and Pro, and the M1 Mac Mini.
Again, this change signals Apple's desire to unify its app platforms. However, while the company intends to make all iOS and iPadOS apps available for Mac users, developers are allowed to opt out if they wish. Among those not offering their mobile apps for Macs: Google, Facebook, and Amazon.
Major Safari update
Big Sur introduces some significant changes to the default browser, including a customizable start page, improved tab design, and instant page translations between several common languages.
Safari has always been one of the better choices for privacy-minded users, and the browser now goes one step further by providing a one-click privacy report detailing all cross-site trackers that are being blocked. It can also generate a weekly privacy report on the start page.
Other app updates
Messages has been completely rewritten using the Catalyst framework, allowing it to have the same features as the mobile app. Also, you can now pin conversations, mention people, search for messages, and more.
The App Store comes with a few major improvements. Every app's privacy practices will be listed in a dedicated section (though this feature may not be available until later this year), a new category is available for Safari extensions, and third-party Notification Center widgets will be found on the store as well.
Maps is also getting some cool new features, Photos is being enhanced with new editing capabilities, and the Listen Now tab in the Music app will make it easier to find new content.
Big Sur brings big changes to Apple's macOS
This macOS update is the most innovative one we've seen in many years, which is no surprise given that it is released at the same time as Apple's new processor and three of the devices it's going to power.
There are a lot of interesting features to be excited by, but iPhone and iPad users will probably be happiest with the blend of Apple's desktop and mobile platforms, especially those who will also go out and buy an M1-powered device.
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macOS Big Sur was reviewed by Catalin ChelariumacOS Big Sur 11.3 Build 20E232 / 11.4 Build 20F5046g Beta
Softpedia Editor's Pickadd to watchlistsend us an update- runs on:
- macOS 10.9 or later (Universal Binary)
- file size:
- 12.6 GB
- main category:
- System Utilities
- developer:
- visit homepage
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As of March 26 2021, the following browser compatibility exists (order is completely arbitrary):
First by operation system, links to individual browsers by system will follow the list by OS. You may find on download sites earlier versions of these browsers, but they are not necessarily secure, and often these sites have advertisements for malware:
11.2.3 Big Sur - Safari, Edge, Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Waterfox (Intel only), iCab
10.15.7 Catalina - Safari, Edge, Brave, Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Waterfox, iCab
10.14.6 Mojave - Safari, Edge, Brave, Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Waterfox, iCab
10.13.6 High Sierra - Edge, Brave, Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Waterfox, iCab
10.12.6 Sierra - Omniweb, Edge, Brave, Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Waterfox, iCab
10.11.6 El Capitan - Omniweb, Brave, Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Waterfox, iCab
10.10.5 Yosemite - Omniweb, Firefox, Waterfox, iCab
10.9.5 Mavericks - Omniweb, Firefox, Waterfox, iCab
10.8.5 Mountain Lion - Omniweb, Arctic Fox, Waterfox, iCab, Spiderweb, Snow Monkey
10.7.5 Lion - Omniweb, Arctic Fox, Waterfox, iCab, Spiderweb, Snow Monkey
10.4 Tiger, 10.5 Leopard, 10.6.8 Snow Leopard - Omniweb, iCab, Tenfourfox, Spiderweb, Snow Monkey
10.3 - 10.3.9 Classila, iCab, Tenfourfox
10.2.8 and earlier, Classila and iCab.
Note: Chromium is not to be confused with Chrome. As many users have found Chromium early sources before it was secured, I do not mention it, and recommend only using the above browsers unless you are sure the Chromium version you are using is safe. Edge was based off of Chromium's original genuine distribution.
Safari 14.0.3- for Mac OS 10.14 (use 10.14.6 combo, and security), Mac OS 10.15 (use 10.15.7 combo, security 2021, and supplemental 2), and 11.2.3 (only available via Apple menu Software Update). Apple's security update patches are documented on https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222, and indicate when each operating system got its last security update, and hence also last release of Safari. For older systems this often means choosing one of the browsers below for more current support of security and browsing standards.
Microsoft Edge - For Mac OS 10.12 and later.
Brave - for Mac OS 10.11 and later.
Opera - for Mac OS 10.11 and later.
Chrome - for Mac OS 10.11 and later.
Omniweb - for Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.12. 10.12 release never was finalized.
Firefox ESR - for 10.9 through 10.11.6, 10.12-current.
Waterfox - for 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 and Intel newer.
Arctic Fox & Snow Monkey - for PowerPC 10.4, 10.5, Intel10.6to 10.8.
SnowLeopard - https://lowendmac.com/2015/what-is-the-best-browser-for-os-x-10-6-snow-leopard/ discusses various browsers that are good for Snow Leopard, and which ones are best for compatibility of different features.
Tenfourfox - PowerPC browser for Mac OS X 10.3 through 10.5.8. Per comments below the G3 release works on 10.6 Rosetta.
Classila - Mac OS 8.6 to X 10.3.9.
iCab - Every Mac OS since before X to present.
Apple's operating system by name:
9.0.4 and earlier were Mac OS systems that weren't commonly known by their code names.
Mac OS 9.1 to 9.2.2 are Classic operating systems, that can run in virtualization within Mac OS X on a PowerPC Mac. Apple shifted to Intel Macs in 2006 and that ended PowerPC support except for some applications that ran in a Rosetta environment on Mac OS X until 10.7 was released July 22, 2011.
10.0 Cheetah 10.1 Puma, 10.2 Jaguar 10.3 Leopard 10.4 Tiger 10.5 Leopard 10.6 Snow Leopard 10.7 Lion 10.8 Mountain Lion 10.9 Mavericks 10.10 Yosemite 10.11 El Capitan 10.12 Sierra 10.13 High Sierra 10.14 Mojave 10.15 Catalina
11 Big Sur. These were each upgrades and discussed in my series of tips starting with 10.2.
2d Combo System Prototype Mac Os X
Adobe Flash as of December 31, 2020 is no longer supported. There is an uninstaller on Adobe's website.
Visit Java.com for Java updates. Java 8v202 is last open license released by Oracle. Later releases may have specific financial obligations to Oracle depending on your company license agreement. Java is frequently used as a backend
for many crossplatform stand alone applications, so if you depend on third party applications, make sure the version you need works with all of them before changing the version on your computer. Clone backup your data before changing your Java.
2d Combo System Prototype Mac Os Catalina
Some historical tidbits: Javascript is client based rendering code that is browser dependent, and in the case of ECMA support platform dependent, as Microsoft wrote its own counterpart to Javascript called JScript. ActiveX based rendering is platform dependent, and you will want to consider running a Microsoft Windows platform operating system on your Mac if you need to browse such sites. Windows XP was the last version of Internet Explorer not to support HTML5, whereas Windows 7 had a version of Internet Explorer to support HTML5, which is completely server based website rendering. To avoid browser incompatibility, it is best to use server based coding that does not require plugins. See both W3.org and Anybrowser.org for tidbits.