Apple releases macOS Tahoe with Liquid Glass design and AI features

Apple on September 15 released macOS Tahoe, a free software update that brings a major visual overhaul and new productivity and AI features to compatible Mac computers. The update, which has been in developer and public beta testing since June, is available via the Software Update section of System Settings and supports all Apple silicon Macs plus select Intel models including the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro, the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2020 and later iMacs, and 2019 and later Mac Pro systems.

Tahoe’s most conspicuous change is the Liquid Glass design, a translucent, glasslike look that Apple said extends across the menu bar, Dock, app toolbars, icons and widgets to create a more unified appearance across macOS, iOS and iPadOS. Apple’s release notes describe a fully transparent menu bar and new icon styles including tinted and clear options. Early testers applauded the aesthetic refresh as cleaner and more modern, although some users have raised concerns that increased transparency can make elements harder to read.

Under the surface, Apple overhauled core Mac workflows. Spotlight has been redesigned into four panels for apps, files, actions and clipboard history, and now supports...