Summary of "History of macOS"

History of macOS

The video "History of macOS" by Greg from Apple Explained explores the evolution of Apple's Macintosh operating system, known as macOS, since its inception in 1984. It highlights key technological advancements and product features over the decades.

Key Technological Concepts and Features:

1984: Introduction of Macintosh and System Software 1
- First commercial computer with a graphical user interface and mouse.
- Introduction of the Finder and a revolutionary menu bar with basic headers.
- Early versions lacked specific names, using system file version numbers instead.
System Updates:
- System 2: Added AppleTalk for local networking and support for LaserWriter.
- System 5: Introduced MultiFinder, allowing multiple applications to run simultaneously.
- System 7 (1991): Major upgrade with a new user interface, cooperative multitasking, and aliases.
- Mac OS 8 (1997): Introduced a new GUI called Platinum and was pivotal in maintaining Apple's market presence.
- Mac OS 9 (1999): Improved wireless networking support and transitional technologies for developers.
Introduction of Mac OS X (2000):
- A radical redesign with the Aqua interface, though it faced performance issues.
- Subsequent versions like Puma and Jaguar improved functionality and user experience.
- Mac OS X Tiger (2005): Introduced over 200 features, including Spotlight search and support for both PowerPC and Intel processors.
Key Features in Later Releases:
- Leopard (2007): Introduced Time Machine, Boot Camp, and 64-bit support.
- Snow Leopard (2009): Focused on performance improvements and introduced the Mac App Store.
- Lion (2011): Integrated iOS features into macOS.
- Mavericks (2013): First free release, improved performance and battery life.
- Yosemite (2014): Flatter UI and Handoff feature for device continuity.
- Sierra (2016): Simplified naming to macOS and introduced features like Universal Clipboard and Siri support.
- Mojave (2018): Introduced Dark Mode and redesigned App Store.
- Catalina (2019): Dropped 32-bit app support and introduced Sidecar and Mac Catalyst.
- Big Sur (2020): Major interface overhaul and optimization for Apple’s ARM processors, allowing native running of iOS apps.