Hands-on with macOS 27 Golden Gate: Non-AI features shine

macOS 27 Golden Gate: Non-AI features shine">

Apple Intelligence and Siri AI have sucked most of the oxygen out of the room at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference this year—understandable, maybe, given that the AI-powered Siri delays are all anyone has wanted to ask any Apple executive about for the last two years. But Apple Intelligence is just one of the three big focus areas Apple outlined during its keynote this week. The second is new parental controls—overdue, but promising-looking, as the parent of a six-year-old with an iPad that I only begrudgingly connect to the Internet.

And the third is "platform improvements," a catch-all for a wide range of fit-and-finish changes aimed at boosting responsiveness and addressing common user complaints. I have the first beta of macOS 27 Golden Gate running on an M1 MacBook Air—the oldest, slowest hardware Apple supports now that Intel compatibility is out the window. With some help from Apple's densely packed wall-of-features slide , here are a few things from the "platform improvements" column I like the most, plus one item I'd still like to see.

Why this matters: As Apple's focus on AI continues to dominate the conversation, the company's attention to non-AI features in macOS 27 Golden Gate demonstrates a commitment to refining the overall user experience. The new parental controls, for instance, show a recognition of the diverse needs of Apple's user base, including families. Meanwhile, the platform improvements, though subtle, can make a significant difference in everyday use, addressing long-standing complaints and enhancing responsiveness.

For developers and businesses, these updates may seem minor compared to the flashier AI integrations, but they contribute to a more stable and user-friendly ecosystem. As Apple continues to evolve its operating systems, balancing AI innovation with practical, user-centric features will be crucial in maintaining its customer loyalty and market share. The success of these updates in addressing common user complaints will likely influence future development priorities, particularly if they lead to increased user satisfaction and reduced support queries.

One open question is how these features will interact with existing AI-powered tools and services, and whether they will lay the groundwork for more seamless integrations in the future.