The evolution of macOS in the face of Windows paralysis
Operating systems are constantly evolving, whether it is the versions developed for laptops, computers, tablets , smartphones or any other device that is endowed with certain intelligence with processing capacity.
This is the case of large operating techsupportreviews systems such as Microsoft's Windows and Apple's macOS, which have evolved over the years to provide millions of users with the most appropriate tools to carry out their work.
Moved to the current
era, we ask ourselves the following: what would you ask of the next version of
your Windows operating system, quite possibly Windows 11? We have
witnessed the news that macOS Monterey will bring this
year and there are many aspects by which it has managed to surprise us.
Take a look at all the news and tools that Apple has included in its new version and that we would like to see in the future version of Windows 11 if Microsoft does not want to be left behind in usability and practical functions.
Universal Control for the multi-device experience
Windows has long
allowed you to connect your Android phone to your Windows PC using the 'Your
Phone ' application to show recent photos taken with your mobile,
view and send SMS messages, receive notifications, accept calls or interact
with your mobile.
However, since Microsoft abandoned its Windows Phone operating system for mobiles due to its low acceptance, Apple seems to have gained ground in terms of synchronization and user experience between different devices.
Apple has long
adopted the 'Continuity' functionality, so that when you use a Mac, iPad,
iPhone or Apple Watch, you can start an activity in one of them and
automatically unlock another device to continue it in the other desired, from
the same point where you left it.
With Sidecar ,
the apple company took a further step by allowing it to gain workspace by using
the iPad as a second screen for the Mac. In this way, it is possible to consult
two apps at the same time or have a canvas on one screen and the tools on the
screen. other.
As a novelty in macOS
Monterey, Apple has announced 'Universal Control' with which it is possible to
use the same mouse and keyboard to operate the screen of the Mac and the iPad
simultaneously without the need for additional configurations or third-party software .
I am on the condition that Windows has always been ahead of macOS in terms of handling the touch screen, but after Apple's decision to diversify its operating systems, iPadOS makes better use of the iPad and macOS does the same with Macs .
Tools that complement the operating system
Every user who
decides to buy a new computer or laptop, be it Windows or Mac, wants from the
first moment they use it to be able to be minimally productive with what an
operating system is supposed to offer as add-ons.
Well, in recent years
we have seen how Windows has repeated the same strategy version after version,
with a minimum of programs that complement its operating system, such as the
browser, explorer or mail manager.
It is true that we
also have Paint to slightly touch up photos, or WordPad to write documents. But
let's face it: is there anyone who is still using these programs at this point?
To cite an example,
Paint dates back to nothing more and nothing less than the year 1985 and
Microsoft has done little to change its touch-up capabilities. Something
similar happens with WordPad, forcing users to check out and buy the Microsoft
Office suite.
For its part, Apple
has evolved its iWork office
tools (Page,
Numbers and Keynote) included for free, in addition to spicing up the operating
system with extras such as organizing and retouching photos or tools such as
Maps.
Nor can we deny how
the section on communication tools such as Messages or FaceTime has gained
strength, turning computers with macOS as an extension of programs with which
you usually communicate with your iPhone.
In the case of Windows, Windows Live Messenger had its great moment almost 20 years ago in the messaging section, but none of that has returned to the present day. Although Skype allows us to stay in touch, the integration with the operating system leaves something to be desired.
A 'Control Center' that empowers macOS
Within this section
that we address now, each operating system has had its different point of view
over the years, something that both operating systems have known how to evolve
and take advantage of in the best way.
Windows with its toolbar, and macOS with its 'Dock' or application bar have offered us the shortcuts to the most used programs and applications, with the possibility of customizing it to our liking to improve the user experience.
With the arrival of
the macOS Big Sur edition, which currently runs on Apple computers, we have
seen that certain new features have been adopted that have triumphed in other
brand devices, such as iPads or iPhones.
Thus, the 'Control
Center' of macOS Big Sur has changed to resemble that of the iPad. Its
icon appears on the rights side of the top menu bar, and you get quick access
to controls like network, screen brightness, and volume.
The Mac lacked these shortcuts and with the customizable 'Control Center' we can quickly access these settings. Again, the best user experience is adopted where there was none.
A web browser with more privacy and a better interface
While the different
versions of Windows have been accompanied by different versions of Internet
Explorer and Edge browsers in the latest version of Windows 10, Safari has been
the great ally of macOS throughout the years of its history.
We are not
criticizing the work of the Explorer browser, nor the possibilities offered by
Edge when it comes to handling the Surface Pen digital pen. However, Microsoft's
browsers have declined while Apple's has managed to stay aligned with the
operating system.
In the new version of macOS Monterey, privacy aspects are enhanced, in addition to being renewed to group the tabs, the toolbar and the search field under the same compact design. These will be synchronized with those of the iPhone and iPad.
Voice assistants: Siri vs. Cortana
A similar situation
as that experienced by Microsoft's operating system for mobile devices, the
voice assistant Cortana seems to be living now, the one that came to be present
in the brand's smartphones.
Far from being used
by users of mobile devices such as phones and tablets, not in speakers of the
home assistant type, its market share has been reduced exclusively to users who
decide to use it with their Windows 10 computers.
In the current era in
which we live, it does not seem a wise decision to remove the voice assistant
from devices that we regularly use at home, a place where others such as
Amazon's Alexa and Google's Google Assistant have managed to earn their place
and trust from the users.
We'll see what
Microsoft's next strategy is for its Cortana smart voice assistant, but the way
it currently remains in Windows 10 and how secondary its role is, a lot would
have to change before we can predict a brighter future for it.