What's new in Mac software: updates, AI, and better apps

If you use a Mac daily, the last few years have been a veritable festival of macOS updates, new features powered by Apple Intelligence y increasingly powerful appsFrom security improvements to small details you only notice when they're missing, Apple's system has drastically changed the way we work, play, and organize ourselves.

At the same time, the ecosystem of Mac software has become filled with free and paid applications that take advantage of Apple Silicon, the new system design, and the integrations with iPhone and iPad. Let's take a close look at what Apple is bringing with its latest macOS versions, which Macs benefit from all this, and which programs are worth having installed to get the most out of your computer.

macOS updates: security, stability, and Apple Intelligence

Much of the recent macOS releases have focused on Strengthen security, fix annoying bugs, and add minor improvements in apps like Photos, Music, Home, or Podcasts. Many of these updates include the classic phrase that they are "recommended for all users," and in this case, it's absolutely true: they come loaded with critical security patches.

In several recent iterations, Apple has released updates that only mention security improvements and bug fixesThese updates, while not groundbreaking in terms of new features, are crucial for protection against vulnerabilities. Although they may seem "minor," they are the ones that prevent unexpected problems, stability issues, or issues with third-party apps.

Alongside these discreet versions, more powerful releases have also arrived that introduce advanced features based on Apple Intelligence, improvements to Photos, new emojis, widgets and specific changes to get more out of the latest M-series Macs.

Apple Intelligence and new creative features in macOS

One of the great revolutions in Apple's software for Mac is Apple Intelligence, the system Personal intelligence integrated into macOS It relies on local AI models and external services like ChatGPT when needed. This platform not only affects Siri, but also how users type, create images, and manage content.

Photos now includes the option to generate Memories videos simply by describing the scene you want to seeYou can request a video featuring a specific trip, a particular person, or a theme (“beach vacation with friends”), and the system will automatically create the montage. Furthermore, photo search has become more powerful: simply type what appears in the image or the type of moment to find it.

Another important new feature is Image Playground, a tool designed to create Images in different styles (drawing, animation, illustration) You can create images based on descriptions and concepts, even using people from your photo library. You can swipe through previews while refining your idea and sync your generated image library with iCloud to view them across all your devices and learn how to Download photos from iPhone.

It also changes the way you express yourself with what are called Genmoji, some Emojis generated using Apple Intelligence They now support more personalized features like hair, skin tone, and style details. You can create them directly in Messages and other apps, integrating them into your daily communication.

Apple has been gradually expanding the Languages ​​and regions supported by Apple Intelligenceincluding variants of English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese and Spanish (Spain, Latin America and the USA), which opens the door to a much more natural use outside of English.

ChatGPT integrated with Siri and writing tools

One of the most striking steps has been the native integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT in Siri and system writing toolsFrom the assistant itself, you can ask it to consult ChatGPT when the query requires it, and if you authorize it, it will return richer answers supported by that model.

In writing contexts (for example, when composing in Mail, Notes, or compatible apps), the Writing tools allow you to create, rewrite, or revise texts With the help of ChatGPT, you can ask it to generate something from scratch, improve the style, summarize a long document, or correct grammatical and tone errors.

For users who don't want to complicate things, the system allows Use ChatGPT without an accountThe requests are sent anonymously, and Apple assures that they are not used to train OpenAI models. Those who do have their own account can log in and take advantage of their subscription benefits, already adhering to the service's data policies.

Photos revamped: library, filters, and more powerful editing

The Photos app has received several rounds of changes to make it a much more flexible content management hub. For one thing, a Filter to show only items that are already in albums or to hide those that are not.This is very useful if you want to have everything perfectly classified.

The organization of the photo library is strengthened with new collections such as Days, Trips, People and Pets, or Featured PhotosIn addition to utility sections for Documents, Receipts, and other types of content, there's even a Recovered album that retrieves photos that were on the device but weren't displaying due to database corruption in a locked album.

In terms of editing, the retouching brush is now integrated into the Clean tool, which is used to Remove distracting elements from photosThis is combined with a more consistent system of filters and sorting across all collections, with options such as sorting by newest or oldest photos first, or viewing albums sorted by modification date.

New emojis, widgets, and features in system apps

Beyond the AI ​​component, Apple continues to refine small parts of the system that are used every day. These appear in the macOS emoji keyboard. New emojis related to objects, plants, and an additional smiley face, which are added to the existing collection to give more nuance to the conversations.

Podcasts receives new widgets, including one for Followed programs to keep up with your favorite podcasts and another Library tab for quickly jumping to new, saved, or downloaded episodes. These are especially useful on a Mac desktop for always having the next episode at hand.

The Home app is also expanding: now certain Matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaners can be controlled from home.as well as being added to scenes and automations alongside other smart devices, which is very convenient if you use your Mac to manage your connected home.

In the area of ​​accessibility, VoiceOver corrects cases where The elements were being processed in the wrong order in MusicAnd a bug with Braille displays that showed incorrect lines when scrolling with the arrow keys has been fixed. Additionally, Screen Time has been strengthened to ensure that limits remain in effect even if a child uninstalls and reinstalls an app.

Other changes designed for more advanced users include a Increased GPU memory limit in Mac Studio with M3 Ultra and plenty of RAMas well as improved transcoding performance in Final Cut Pro on those same computers, taking better advantage of the professional hardware.

Notifications, Genmoji, and improvements to the daily experience

The latest versions of macOS have also been refining the notification system. The feature of Notification summaries allow you to group alerts and display them at specific times of the day., with an updated design that uses italicized text and a distinctive glyph to differentiate them from other notices (on Macs with Apple chips).

It is possible to do this from the lock screen itself. manage the settings of these summaries more directlywithout delving into deep settings. However, Apple has temporarily paused notification summaries for some news and entertainment apps, with the intention of reactivating them later.

On a more playful level, the introduction of Genmoji means a different way to create custom icons These can be used in Messages and other apps. The system leverages Apple Intelligence to generate these elements from descriptions, giving you more flexibility to customize them to your style.

Even simple tools like Calculator receive minor tweaks, such as the ability to Repeat the last operation by pressing the equal sign again.These are minimal changes, but by repeating them hundreds of times, they save many seconds in everyday life.

Safari, Search, Podcasts and more: better organized navigation and content

Safari remains one of Apple's biggest bets on macOS, and the latest updates have given it new capabilities. For example, it now includes Additional background images to personalize the homepagein addition to simplifying the import and export of history, bookmarks, and passwords.

The browser incorporates a system of Automatic HTTPS updates that always attempt to use secure connections across all websites, improving privacy even on pages that don't yet offer it by default. For those who switch between multiple devices, managing saved data also becomes more straightforward.

The Search app expands its usefulness with the function of securely share the location of objects like AirTag with third parties or companies, something especially useful when checking luggage with airlines or lending accessories to family or trusted friends.

Apple Music and the Apple TV app improve their search engine with a system of natural language that allows you to describe what you want to see or hear Mixing categories (genres, moods, actors, decades, etc.) is a more intuitive way to find content without knowing the exact title.

Podcasts features categories for favorites and one custom search page It highlights the sections and collections most relevant to you, with recommendations better suited to your tastes and quick access from the library.

Apple News+, Stocks, Weather and other small but great improvements

Apple is also boosting its content services. Apple News+ features pastimes like Sudoku with three levels of difficulty For subscribers, integrated within the app as a different form of entertainment.

The Stocks app gets support for Real-time quotes before the opening of the NASDAQ and NYSEThis is very useful for users who follow the markets closely and want a reference point before the start of the session.

The Weather app takes a leap forward on macOS with the ability to display current conditions directly in the menu bar and instantly open a detailed forecast with a click. A quick glance at the temperature or the wind chill without opening anything else.

In a productivity environment, the presenter preview facilitates video calls and presentations by allowing preview exactly what you're going to share (a specific app or the entire screen) before connecting to an external monitor or starting AirPlay.

First Apple Intelligence features: smarter typing, Siri, and photos

Apple has been releasing different groups of Apple Intelligence features in waves. One of these activates the following: writing tools applicable to almost any text field, with three pillars: Rewrite, Revise and Summarize.

Rewriting offers alternative versions of the text you have already writtenChanging the cadence, tone, or wording to adapt it to a formal email, a friendly message, or a more direct text. Reviewing focuses on specific suggestions regarding grammar, style, or clarity, which you can accept or reject all at once or one by one.

The Summarize option allows you to select blocks of text and Generate a high-quality summary with the key pointsWhether it's a long article, a transcribed meeting, or a working document, all without leaving the app you're writing in.

Siri is also being visually redesigned, with a Bright border animation around the screen that reacts to your voiceIt becomes much more flexible in understanding requests with pauses, changes of mind, or references to previous messages. You can type to it instead of speaking, and it maintains context throughout the conversation.

In Photos, Apple Intelligence enables features such as automatic image removal of distractions, the generation of memory videos from textual descriptions and a much more semantic search, based on what actually appears in the photo.

Focus, intelligent response, and improved transcripts

To better manage interruptions, macOS incorporates a focus mode called Reduce interruptionsDesigned to let through only the most urgent notifications and silence the rest, ideal when you're working or on an important video call.

Notification summaries help to Stay up-to-date without being constantly bombarded, showing the most relevant information from the apps you choose in a single block, instead of receiving a continuous trickle.

In Mail and Messages, the Smart Reply feature appears, which generates suggested responses based on the content of the received messageYou can use them as is or tweak them, but they save a lot of time on repetitive emails or courtesy replies.

The Notes app is gaining traction as a work tool with audio transcript summaries, which are intelligently created from recordings and allow you to quickly review what's important without listening to everything again.

Continuity: Duplicate your iPhone, drag and drop between devices

The integration between Mac and iPhone has taken a leap forward with the feature of iPhone Mirroring (with tips for saving data, battery and money), which lets you view and control your phone's screen directly on your Mac. You can navigate the Start menu, open apps, reply to messages, or use mobile apps without touching your iPhone.

The Mac's keyboard and trackpad function as if they were connected to the iPhone, so You can type and make Multi-Touch gestures (swipe, pinch to zoom, scroll) over phone apps from the big screen.

iPhone notifications are displayed on the Mac and, in many cases, allow act directly from the computerThis significantly reduces the number of times you have to pick up your phone just for a quick action.

In addition, the ability to drag and drop objects between devices has been improved: now you can move files, photos or videos from iPhone to Mac and vice versa as if they were extensions of the same desktop, something especially useful in creative workflows.

AirPods, hearing protection, and advanced accessibility

The second-generation AirPods Pro receive premium features linked to macOS, such as Hearing protection to minimize exposure to very loud noises in all listening modes (for now in countries like the United States and Canada, with specific minimum firmware).

Hands-free interactions with Siri are also being introduced through AirPods: you can Respond to Siri ads by nodding or shaking your head, without needing to touch the device, which is very useful when your hands are busy.

Voice isolation mode on AirPods Pro improves the clarity of your calls even in noisy or windy environments, and the feature of Custom spatial audio for gaming It creates an immersive soundscape designed specifically for compatible titles, relying on new developer APIs.

Accessibility features include voice shortcuts that allow people with severe speech difficulties record personalized expressions that trigger specific actions on the Mac, opening the door to much more tailored control.

macOS Sequoia and Tahoe: productivity, design, and better organization

macOS Sequoia represented one of the biggest leaps in productivity and creativity for the Mac. Among its greatest strengths is the new way of arrange windows in a tiled arrangement simply by dragging them to the edges of the screen, with corner or side-by-side combinations, plus keyboard shortcuts and context menus to place them even faster.

Safari received a major redesign of the Reader, which now It displays articles in a simplified view with a summary and table of contents.and a Featured mode that highlights key information on the page (locations, important data, etc.). The Viewer lets you watch videos without distractions and automatically sends the content to picture-in-picture mode when you switch tabs.

Another key element is the new Passwords app, which centralizes all your credentials, access keys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes in one place, with secure end-to-end encrypted synchronization and compatibility even with Windows via the iCloud app.

In messaging, macOS incorporates text effects and tapbacks with stickers and emojis, allowing you to Format words with bold, italics, underline, or strikethroughAnimate specific words or phrases and schedule messages for later. All designed to bring Messages to life, both personally and professionally.

Maps adds downloadable topographic maps and hiking trails for all U.S. national parks, with Customized routes for hiking, routine workouts, or urban tours, and a library of places that brings together guides, routes and saved points.

Smarter notes, multimedia utilities, and subtitles

Notes becomes almost a Swiss Army knife of productivity with options like record audio directly within a note, view the live transcript as you speak, search within that transcript, and associate the recording with related checklists or documents.

The Math in Notes function allows enter expressions that are solved instantlyIdeal for quick calculations or small budgets, while the fold-out sections help to hide text in very long notes, leaving only the essentials visible.

You can highlight content with up to five different colors to highlight key fragmentsThis is very useful for notes, protocols, or shared documents. In photos and videos, speed control lets you adjust the pace of high frame rate clips with in and out points.

Subtitles are also getting smarter: they appear in specific moments such as when the language of the content does not match that of the device, when you mute the audio or when rewinding a series, avoiding having them always activated or always hidden.

Calculator, Reminders, Home and more system utilities

The Calculator app takes a much more modern approach. The basic and scientific versions now allow solve complete expressions, convert units, and consult a calculation history, something that until now was usually delegated to third-party apps.

Reminders integrates tightly with Calendar, so you can create, view and complete reminders and appointments directly from the calendarIn addition to having a Recently Deleted list to recover tasks deleted by mistake.

Freeform introduces the scenes, dividing a gigantic canvas into Organizable sections that you can save, label, and rearrange for working in parts, perfect for brainstorming sessions or collaborative design.

The Home app gains configurable guest access for locks, garage doors, or alarm systemswith specific dates and times. It can also show electricity consumption and tariff plans for users connected to compatible electricity companies, starting with certain distributors.

Free apps to get the most out of your Mac

Beyond the built-in apps, in 2025 and beyond the Mac benefits from an ecosystem of in productivity, creativity and profitsInstalling these apps is a way to earn a lot without spending anything.

Programs like Launchy for macOS becomes a floating wheel-style application launcher, accessible with a key combination and ready to open your favorite tools, websites or online services like ChatGPT or email on the fly, without getting dizzy from the Dock.

Reminders MenuBar leverages Apple's Reminders app by adding a Direct access in the menu bar to your lists and tasksFrom there you can mark tasks as done or add new ones without opening the full app, which is especially useful if you organize yourself using GTD or daily routines.

Ice for macOS helps to declutter a cluttered menu bar by allowing Hide less relevant icons and show only the essential oneswith a customizable design that keeps the screen cleaner and more focused.

Blip is presented as a vitamin-enhanced alternative to AirDrop, compatible with Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows and AndroidIt allows you to drag files to an icon in the menu bar and send them in seconds to other devices and even to contacts via email.

Other utilities like Recents for Mac focus on displaying recent file history grouped by appso you can quickly reopen the PDF you viewed yesterday in Preview, the project you edited in Final Cut, or the Numbers spreadsheet without searching through folders.

Featured paid apps for Mac: writing, storage, and workflow

When you need to go a step further, the catalog of paid software for Mac is enormous. In the realm of writing, Scrivener and Ulysses are two different sides of the same coin: advanced writing environments for long projects, with organization by folders, templates, labels and export to different formats.

Scrivener is designed for writers who need a very detailed structure of chapters, scenes, notes and documentationWith tools for research and editing, as well as a distraction-free writing mode, Ulysses takes a more minimalist approach, based on Markdown and a unified text library.

In storage, DaisyDisk has carved out a niche by showcasing its disk in the shape of... Interactive radial chart for locating files and folders that take up a lot of spaceFrom that view you can preview and delete what you don't need with reasonable certainty.

In productivity, apps like Things 3 stand out for task management with a very polished designFantastical for calendars with natural language input and advanced views, and Notion as an all-in-one workspace for notes, databases, projects, and real-time collaboration.

For editing and design, Pixelmator Pro, Affinity Designer, or Darkroom are positioned as powerful alternatives to classic suiteswith one-time purchase or moderate subscriptions that offer vector tools, raster tools, non-destructive editing, advanced filters and support for professional formats.

Professional software for engineers, architects and creatives

Macs with Apple Silicon have proven they can smoothly handle demanding engineering and design software. Autodesk's AutoCAD LT offers 2D and 3D drawing and modeling tools for architecture, construction, and industryprovided you have a Mac with a processor and memory sufficient to handle heavy drawings.

SketchUp Pro, on the other hand, focuses on the 3D modeling of buildings, landscapes and objects with simple drawing tools and more advanced ones for complex geometries, integrating visualization, rendering and animation options.

Affinity Designer covers the professional graphic design front with a focus on Vector illustration, logo creation, icons, interfaces and mockups, with a one-time payment license that is especially attractive for small studios or freelancers.

How to install and keep software updated on your Mac

To take full advantage of all these new features, it's essential to keep your system up to date. The easiest way to do this is to use the Software Update section in System Settings > GeneralFrom there, the Mac searches for new versions, both of macOS and additional components.

If your Mac finds an available update, you will be able to Click on Update or Restart now to begin the installationBefore accepting, it is recommended to have a recent backup with Time Machine or your preferred tool, in case something goes wrong.

In older models that do not have the Software Update section as it is known today, there are other official methods for downloading and installing compatible macOS versions, usually through the Mac App Store or Apple's dedicated installers.

During the installation process, your Mac may restart several times, display progress bars, or show blank screens; the important thing is Do not close the lid or force the shutdown until it is finishedIf there are errors, Apple documents recovery steps, but the process is usually automatic.

Updating frequently not only gives you access to new features like Apple Intelligence or improvements to Safari and Photos, but also closes security holes that attackers could exploit

Between constant security improvements, the arrival of Apple Intelligence with writing and image creation tools, integration with ChatGPT, the redesign of apps like Photos, Safari, and Maps, and a constantly growing catalog of free and paid applications, the landscape of New software for Mac is more interesting than everIf you keep your macOS updated and choose your apps wisely, your computer can last for years performing at its best and adapting to almost any type of use.