iTunes was eventually removed from MacOS Catalina and replaced with three standalone apps: Apple TV, Apple Music and Podcasts.
Editor’s note: This article is from Tencent Technology, review: Golden Deer.
According to foreign media reports, Apple has just released a MacOS Catalina software update for Mac computers. Like the iOS 13 recently released for the iPhone, it offers many new features for most 2012 or higher versions of the Mac.
Second display function Sidecar
Sidecar in MacOS Catalina allows users to use the iPad as a second monitor
Sidecar is a new feature that lets users use the iPad as the second monitor for the Mac. This feature is useful if the user is sitting at a desk and wants to drag the window onto another screen.
To use Sidecar, tap the AirPlay button in the top right corner of the screen and select iPad. It works with the new iPad that supports Apple Pencil, and users don’t even need to plug the iPad into the Mac. Tests on the beta version of MacOS Catalina show that Sidecar has no delay and works just like a second monitor is plugged into the computer.
iTunes replaced by standalone app
Apple Music will replace iTunes in MacOS Catalina this fall
iTunes ends up on MacOS CatalinA was removed and replaced by three separate applications: Apple TV, Apple Music, and Podcasts. This is a wise move, because Apple users have been complaining for years that iTunes has become clumsy and bloated. Now, these features are split into different places and work very well, because now we don’t need to dig around iTunes to find movies or music tags, making it easier to open the applications you need.
The music feature is purely focused on Apple Music streaming service Apple Music and user-purchased tracks. Users can browse their own music library, and if they pay, they can find new music in Apple Music, or buy and download new tracks.
Apple TV allows users to watch and download purchased movies, browse Apple TV channels such as HBO and Showtime, and will soon allow us to play programs on Apple TV+.
Podcasts allow users to play their favorite podcasts and find new podcasts. The cool discovery feature also allows users to search for content in podcasts. Therefore, if there are people or topics we are interested in, users can search for podcasts that have been mentioned by them.
Support for Apple Arcade Game Services
Apple Arade Game Services in MacOS Catalina
Apple Arade was recently launched on the iPhone and iPad, and now it appears on the Mac. This is Apple’s monthly fee of $5 for gaming services, and some games support Xbox One or PS4 controllers. Users can easily connect them to Bluetooth and use them to control the game. There aren’t as many games on the Mac version of Apple Arade as there are on the iPhone and iPad, but new games will be available soon and will continue to be released.
App porting feature Mac Catalyst
Catalyst in MacOS Catalina
Mac Catalyst in MacOS Catalina is a new feature that allows developers to port their iPad apps to the Mac. For the first time last year, Apple launched a number of its own iOS apps on the Mac, including news and stocks. This year, Podcasts were built using Catalyst.
These tools allow developers to apply their existing iPad apps directly to the Mac, which means we may see many apps that we like and that we couldn’t use before. Tests on applications such as Carot Weather and TripIt show that they allow users to plan travel more accurately, including flight times, hotel and car bookings.
How to update to MacOS Catalina
MacOS Catalina screenshot
In addition to the above updates, MacOS Catalina has many new features. For example, some new accessibility features allow users to control the Mac via voice, Screen Time will limit the amount of time users use certain applications, and Apple introduces new security features.
Apple prompts that before updating your Mac to MacOS Catalina, please make sure you have backed up everything you need. Plug in your Mac and make sure you’re connected to a fast Wi-Fi network. And make sure you have an hour or so of free time, during which time you don’t need to use a computer.