
We have a name for the next version of macOS. Version 12 says goodbye to Big Sur and heads a little further up the coastal Highway 1 to Monterey. The details of the new operating system were released at WWDC and while a little light compared to iOS 15 for the iPhone, contained some very clever additions.
Among the highlights of MacOS Monterey were the introduction of shortcuts to the Mac, a redesign of Safari, complete with extensions and the inclusion of the new FaceTime, SharePlay and Shared With You features that run across all-new Apple platforms. The biggest surprise though came in the form of a new continuity feature known as Universal Control.
- Apple Music Spatial Audio is live – here’s how to listen to it
- Apple Watch OS 8 doubles down on photos and fitness features
- Google Pixel 6 Pro camera array revealed in detailed new photos
See the full Universal Control video here
Universal Control allows you to work across your MacBook, iMac and iPad as if they were one device. When the devices are placed next to each other, you can simply move your cursor to the edge of the MacBook screen, push a little further and watch it appear on the iPad. You can then use your MacBook trackpad and keyboard to work naturally on the iPad. You can do the same between the iMac and MacBook, or between the iMac and iPad. Or line all three up and use the same mouse and keyboard for all three – like extending your desktop with extra monitors.
The difference here though is that the other devices aren’t just extending the monitor, they are still running their own programs. And yet, not only can you move the cursor between them, you can drag and drop files between them.
In the demo video, we see an image on the iPad dragged onto the MacBook and then across to the iMac to add to a video edit. With Universal control in place, there’s no need to AirDrop files between machines, you can just drag them.
Not everyone has multiple Macs on their desk, but many have a Mac and an iPad. Having the ability to link these so easily will mean that you will be able to jump quicker between the two, whether it’s for work or play. For those that do have a laptop and a desktop for work, Universal Control saves the hassle of syncing programs or using additional screens.
MacOS Monterey also adds the ability to AirPlay to Mac, which means that you can easily share presentations, videos, photos or anything on your iPad or iPhone screen on to the large iMac screen, as well as use its speakers. It all sounds like the perfect excuse to buy more Mac products to me.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
As T3's Editor-in-Chief, Mat Gallagher has his finger on the pulse for the latest advances in technology. He has written about technology since 2003 and after stints in Beijing, Hong Kong and Chicago is now based in the UK. He’s a true lover of gadgets, but especially anything that involves cameras, Apple, electric cars, musical instruments or travel.
-
Nvidia Shield TV gets its biggest free experience update in years
Nvidia continues to support its Android TV streaming box, which is still one of the best around
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Build muscle and burn fat with just two kettlebells and this 20 minute workout
Don't have long to train? A fitness coach says this workout delivers plenty of bang for your buck
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
This Apple Watch cable can also charge your iPhone or even a Samsung Galaxy S25
This interesting cable from Nomad is perfect for Apple fans who travel
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Apple Invites is the party planning app your iPhone deserves
The new Apple app is designed to help you create custom invitations
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
iPhone SE 4 price could be surprising... in a good way
This might be my favourite iPhone this year
By Sam Cross Published
-
Apple could launch something completely new this week
This is an unexpected development
By Sam Cross Published
-
Samsung's Vision Pro rival to get a big boost from a clever Google acquisition
Google is buying HTC's XR division to work on Android XR – the driving force behind Project Moohan
By John McCann Published
-
Bizarre iPhone 17 photo leak shows Apple could be heading in a new direction
Alleged early images of the rear casing reveal a very different type of camera... for Apple, at least
By Rik Henderson Published
-
iPhone SE 4 could make iPhone 16 irrelevant – will reportedly include Dynamic Island
But will it have Camera Control and the Action Button?
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Apple Intelligence news notification summaries have been suspended
Here's why, as well as how to turn the feature off yourself
By Britta O'Boyle Published