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Appleâs recent announcement at WWDC unveiled the exciting new features of MacOS 26, also known as “Tahoe.” While these updates include some impressive visual design elements and an improved user experience, it’s important to note that many of the features Apple introduced are already familiar to long-time Windows users. Some of these features have been a part of the Windows ecosystem for years, proving that Apple is catching up with its cross-platform rivals. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best MacOS 26 features and compare them to what Windows PC users have been enjoying for quite some time.
Key Features in MacOS 26 Tahoe
At WWDC, Apple introduced several key features in MacOS 26, focusing on visual design, cross-device compatibility, and new advancements in Apple Intelligence. MacOS 26 brings an updated “Liquid Glass” design theme that is sleek and visually stunning, but many of the core features it introduces have been staples of Windows operating systems for years.
1. Window Tiling
Appleâs window management has always been a bit behind that of Windows. While MacOS 26 now allows users to snap windows into place for better organization, Windows has offered this functionality for a much longer time. In MacOS, users can click and drag windows to snap them into predefined positions, or assign positions from the app’s window dropdown menu. However, Windowsâ method, which allows users to drag windows to the top of the screen for a grid preview, has been the preferred approach for many users for years.
2. The Game App
The new Game app in MacOS 26 is designed to unify gaming across MacOS, iOS, and iPadOS, offering a central hub for games with features like a library, Apple Arcade integration, and social features. Windows, on the other hand, has long been the dominant gaming platform, with optimized games and popular apps like Discord and Steam. Apple will now have to compete with these established platforms to win over gamers.
3. Live Translation
MacOS 26 introduces live translation features in apps like Messages and FaceTime, offering real-time translations in various languages using on-device models for enhanced privacy. While this is an excellent feature, Windowsâ Copilot+ already offers similar functionality, translating across more than 40 languages and working in apps like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Chrome, and Netflix. The offline capability is a notable bonus of Windowsâ solution.
4. Customized Folder Icons
MacOS 26 brings customization options for folder and file icons in Finder, allowing users to change the appearance of icons to a variety of colors or even add emojis. While this feature is a fun addition to the MacOS experience, Windows users have had the ability to customize folder icons for decades, dating back to Windows 3.1. Although not all users engage with this feature regularly, it remains an important part of the Windows experience.
What Undercode Says:
Appleâs updates to MacOS 26 are indeed impressive and showcase the companyâs dedication to enhancing its operating system. However, itâs clear that many of these features are simply catching up with what Windows has been offering for years.
One area where Apple excels, however, is in the polish and overall user experience. While Windows offers many of these features, they often come with less seamless integration, especially when it comes to design consistency. Appleâs approach to window management and visual customization is elegant, though it remains behind Windows in terms of raw functionality and user control. For instance, while the live translation feature in MacOS is exciting, itâs hard to ignore that Windows has already perfected this functionality in more applications, with a wider range of languages supported.
Additionally, the Game appâs introduction is a significant step forward for Apple, but it has a tough battle ahead in competing with Windowsâ dominance in gaming. With Microsoftâs continuous investments in the gaming ecosystem, including the popular Xbox app and Game Pass, Appleâs gaming hub will need to offer something revolutionary to win over dedicated gamers.
However, itâs clear that MacOS 26 is a leap in the right direction. Apple is gradually catching up with Windows in some key areas, while still offering a clean, cohesive user experience that Windows cannot easily replicate.
Fact Checker Results â
Window Tiling: â
Both operating systems now offer window tiling, but Windowsâ solution has been around for much longer.
The Game App: â
Appleâs new Game app is a fresh take, but Windows has long been the go-to for gaming with better app integration and game support.
Live Translation: â
Appleâs live translation is comparable to Windowsâ Copilot+ feature, which already supports more apps and languages.
Customized Folder Icons: â
MacOS adds fun customization for folder icons, but Windows has offered similar options for years.
Prediction đŽ
As Apple continues to refine MacOS and close the feature gap with Windows, the competition will become even more interesting. We expect Apple to continue focusing on design and user experience, while Windows will likely enhance its gaming and productivity features. The real winner will be the user, as both ecosystems push each other toward better and more innovative solutions. However, unless Apple significantly improves its gaming ecosystem and expands the real-time translation capabilities across even more applications, Windows will maintain its edge, especially for users in business, gaming, and content creation.
References:
Reported By: www.zdnet.com
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