It seems like just yesterday that macOS Big Sur was announced, and now we are just a few days away from its release date Apple's macOS is the software heart of every MacBook laptop and Mac desktop, and Apple updates the operating system every year to keep it fresh and current [macOS Big Sur also marks a major shift, adding support for Apple Silicon (Apple's name for the ARM processors found in Mac laptops and desktops)

Early leaks about ARM-based MacBooks have been circulating for several weeks, and the release of Big Sur will push this transition forward with applications and features designed to take full advantage of the upcoming Mac system

Here's everything we know about macOS Big Sur:

Apple did not say when the new version of macOS would be released to the public, so we'll wait for that released in the aftermath of Apple's September 15 event Since it was not (Apple's site only mentions a fall 2020 release window) we now expect it to be released a few days after the rumored October Apple event

Apple is famous for keeping its own operating system exclusive to Apple's MacBook laptops and Mac desktops, and that will continue with the Big Sur release

The current version of macOS Catalina (1015) is supported on all Mac laptop and desktop model lines, but only goes back to 2012

With the release of Big Sur, Mac users will still see support for many Intel-based Macs, but not as much as Catalina In fact, it appears that most pre-2013 Macs will not be supported, as support was discontinued for 2013 and 2014 models

Newer devices like the iMac Pro and MacBooks will be supported on all models, but many older products like the Mac mini and MacBook Air will no longer receive Big Sur support

Here's the full list:

The entire macOS user interface has been upgraded, with shading and translucency added from the icon design and palette options for light and dark modes Apps have been streamlined with full-height sidebars, a new design focus that brings important and frequently accessed information to the forefront, and visually appealing new menus

The desktop has a new widget-based feature that makes it easier to get the latest information without having to open an app or browser, and the Finder has several improvements, including a new toolbar design and easier access to settings and notifications

Messages has received a major update, adding a cross-platform experience The new version of Messages includes a powerful search feature and a photo picker tool for easy sharing of images and videos; Memoji is now available on the Mac; editing and sharing tools, message effects, and pinned conversations have been added; and the new version of Messages is now available on the iPad

Apple Maps on the Mac has received several improvements, including a new design that makes it easier to find your way around the app The new application allows users to save favorite places in the sidebar, create guides for trip planning, and save wish lists for future trips Indoor maps allow users to see attractions and airports, and Look Around (Apple's version of StreetView) now functions more smoothly on the desktop

Mac Catalyst makes it easy to bring iPad apps to the Mac while creating full-fledged Mac apps In short, it provides full resolution support with resizable windows and APIS for menus and keyboards for developers, providing a richer Mac experience with interactions offered on non-touch-enabled laptops and desktops

Safari also has all kinds of new features, including broader extension support, including tools for developers who want to bring Chrome and Firefox extensions into Safari, and detailed privacy controls that apply to all extensions, allowing each site to control what information individual extensions can access

The Apple Beta Software Program allows developers and the general public to test macOS Big Sur and try out its performance before its fall launch During this beta period, Apple gives you the chance to find unexpected bugs and improve the features of the new OS, and you can participate in the process by trying the beta version

While I do not recommend the beta to all users, the macOS Big Sur beta has proven to be quite stable in my testing

As Apple introduces its own processors, it is also updating its operating system to run on the new hardware

The new apps use X-Code, and X-Code is now ready to recompile the apps for the new processors; Universal 2 is a new type of binary that will run on both Intel and Mac chips

Third-party apps are already in the works Microsoft is quietly working on a new version of Office, and Adobe is preparing a version of its Creative Suite that will run on new non-Intel Macs

Apple's own Final Cut Pro is also ready, with all its features and capabilities, including live video editing and multi-stream playback, running on Apple Silicon

Apple also demonstrated Maya on Apple Silicon, showing how well the new hardware supports complex rendering Games are also supported, and a recent Tomb Raider game was demonstrated

The new macOS is named "Big Sur" after the coastal mountain range in central California Known for its ocean views and stunning scenery, Big Sur is as iconic as past macOS code names such as Catalina, Mojave, and High Sierra