macOS Sierra Is Now Available For Download (engadget.com)

Dave Knott writes: Apple's latest desktop operating system, macOS Sierra, is now available for download. In addition to the Siri virtual assistant hitting the desktop for the first time, the free update includes features like a universal clipboard, revamped Messages, a storage optimization tool, and Apple Pay on the web.Engadget has also tested the new operating system and gave it a fairly positive review. It notes that Siri integration is "useful, if you already use Siri," and that iCloud and storage improvements have "practical benefits for everyone." But at the same time, the publication found that Siri "isn't always smart enough."

Comments

Re:universal clipboard wtf

[berj]

1) nothing goes to the internet.

2) nothing will go to a machine/account that isn't signed in to the same icloud account.

3) Calm down.. just turn Handoff off and you're good.

"Allow apps" from only "sanctioned" sources now

[UnknownSoldier]

I see in System Preferences, Security & Privacy, General, that Apple no longer thinks you have the right to run downloaded programs.

The "( ) Anywhere" option has been completely hidden.

Allow apps downloaded from

( ) Mac App Store
( ) Mac App Store and identified developers
( ) Anywhere <-- Now hidden!?

WTF !

Thankfully there is a way to disable this crap.

sudo spctl --master-disable

Reference:
http://apple.stackexchange.com...

Re:"Allow apps" from only "sanctioned" sources now

[berj]

Nothing in this update stops you from running unsigned apps if you so choose. You just can't (easily) set it to the default.. which is a good thing.

If you want to run an unsigned app you you can just right click on the icon, select "open", respond to the dialog presented saying that you want to open this unsigned app.. and then every other time you open that app you can just double click on the icon.

Easy peasy.

Re:Pity my MacPro can't run it

[Kryptonut]

You obviously have no idea how much these machines costed when they were released - especially fully loaded. Why should I not expect it to be supported longer, given the premium they demand on the Mac Pro machines?

Forced obsolescence of a perfectly capable, useful (and expensive) machine makes the Hackintosh camp a lot more appealing (mainly because of the apps I already have that are Mac only). Not to mention, the current Mac Pro's are very limited in how they can be customised after purchase.

The (1,1) and (2,1) Mac Pros were retired because they had 32-bit EFI and the new OS's needed 64-bit EFI....a technical limitation. Most of the Macs I've had that have lost support have been because of a technical limitation (be it RAM limits, 32-bit only processors, Power CPU's). This instance is just plain greed.

Microsoft obviously don't think the hardware is obsolete as Windows 10 runs flawlessly on mine in bootcamp for the Windows only stuff I do.

Re:universal clipboard wtf

[brantondaveperson]

Most people are wrong.

Create apple ID accounts for your kids, and gift them apps if they need stuff. Create gmail accounts for your kids, so they can have their own email addresses. Put credit card information in neither, of course. Put two factor on everything, because kids always choose crap passwords, and make sure you store those passwords somewhere safe because kids can't remember anything. This makes life far, far, simpler. Having one account seems simple at first, but rapidly becomes a nightmare.

The idea of having my kids signed into my apple ID on their devices (which they have to have for school, by the way, before you start telling me that kids shouldn't own iPads etc) is a terrible one. A friend of mine managed to allow her kid to run up huge bills, precisely because she'd used her own apple ID on her kids ipad, and the kid bought $500 of in-game nonsense without her knowledge.