March 30, 2018 Apple released a major update to macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 with a lot of bug fixes and several new features like support for external GPUs, Business Chat in Messages, and more.
macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 is available now for all supported models. You can install the update via Mac App Store. Below you will find out about all the changes in the new version.
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Subscription to macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 update
“MacOS High Sierra makes the Mac even faster and more powerful, and lays the foundation for future innovation,” said Craig Federighi, senior vice president Apple of software development. “High Sierra brings new technologies to virtual reality, high-performance video streaming, storage and more. And apps like Photos, Safari, Mail and Notes just got better. Now users have even more reasons to love the Mac. '
New macOS High Sierra features
File System Apple (APFS)
- The advanced storage architecture of APFS provides ample opportunities to support new features and future storage technologies on the Mac.
- APFS provides support for high-capacity storage devices, improving performance, security and reliability.
- Everyday activities like copying files and folders are almost instantaneous with APFS.
- Advanced integrity checking features protect data during power and system failures.
- APFS is already supported on all flash-based Macs, and the next update will add support for Fusion and HDD Macs.
Supports High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC)
- The new industry standard HEVC (H.265) delivers exceptional performance in video compression, streaming and playback.
- HEVC enables users to watch 4K video files at full resolution while requiring 40% less disk space than the current H.264.1 standard
- With HEVC, devices Apple now support 4K video streaming on networks where previously only HD video was available.2
- Hardware acceleration on the new iMac and MacBook Pro delivers blazingly fast and energy efficient HEVC encoding and playback.
- Adobe, Blackmagic Design, GoPro and other developers have already joined Apple in supporting HEVC.
Metal 2 technology
- Metal is the most advanced graphics technology Apple and the fastest, most efficient way to tap the full power of your Mac's GPU.
- Metal 2 supports next generation technologies, including machine learning, which is used for speech recognition, natural language processing and computer vision.
- The updated API and improved performance of Metal 2 help developers including Unity, Epic, Valve and Pixelmator accelerate future applications.
- With the combination of Thunderbolt 3 and Metal 2, the most demanding Mac users now have access to external GPUs.
Core ML platform
- The Apple Core ML platform opens up machine learning to all developers Apple and enables them to create completely new types of applications.
- Core ML fully leverages Metal and Accelerate technologies to deliver incredible power, speed and efficiency to machine learning features such as computer vision, natural language processing, and support for convolutional and recurrent neural networks.
- All calculations and data processing in Core ML are performed on the device, so all data and user privacy are reliably protected.
- Developers are already leveraging Core ML to enhance applications such as Pixelmator Pro by using machine learning to recognize various elements of images and offer intelligent editing options.
Virtual reality support
- MacOS High Sierra introduces VR support for the first time, allowing developers to create immersive games, 3D content and VR on the Mac.
- Leading VR developers are partnering with Apple to bring incredible new features to Mac this year.
- Valve is optimizing its SteamVR platform for macOS and connecting to the HTC Vive headset, while Unity and Epic are adding their virtual reality development tools to macOS.
- Later this year, Final Cut Pro X will add support for professional 3D VR workflows with the ability to import, edit, and export 360-degree video on a Mac.
Updated app 'Photos'
- An updated, always-on sidebar and new selection and filtering tools help you organize your photos quickly and easily.
- The improved editing interface includes new tools such as Curves to fine-tune contrast and Selective Color to adjust a specific color range.
- You can now add fun effects like looping, reflections and slow shutter speeds to Live Photos, and you can choose different keyframes for Live Photos.
- You can now launch third-party image editors such as Photoshop and Pixelmator directly from the Photos app, and then save your edits to your Photos library.
- Support for third-party project extensions gives you access to print and publishing services such as Shutterfly, WhiteWall, Wix, ifolor, Mimeo and Mpix right from the app.
Other app improvements
- Safari blocks automatic playback of audio content in the browser, and Reader can automatically open articles without distractions.
- Safari's Smart Tracking Blocker helps you maintain your privacy by recognizing and deleting cookies and other data that advertisers use to track transitions between sites.
- Siri on Mac responds with a more natural voice and remembers your favorite music, creates unique playlists and answers questions about music while watching Apple Music.
- The Touch Bar in MacBook Pro has new Control Strip features, as well as an improved color picker and new video controls.
- Notes now have simple tables where you can enter and edit data in cells, move rows and columns.
- Spotlight can display flight details, including departure and arrival times, delays, gate numbers, terminal names, and even a flight map.