Apple is gearing up for a visual refresh with the upcoming macOS 27, aiming to fix the transparency and shadow issues that made its Liquid Glass design feel incomplete on Mac computers. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg in his “Power On” newsletter, this update is being referred to internally as a “slight redesign.” It’s not a complete overhaul, but rather a refinement.
The main challenge lies in the fact that Liquid Glass was initially designed for devices with OLED screens, like iPhones and Apple Watches, where the transparency and depth effects are vibrant. Unfortunately, most Macs still use LCD screens, which don’t display those effects as clearly. This has become particularly noticeable with the 2022 MacBook Air and the 2021 iMac designs, leading to software running on older hardware that wasn’t optimized for the new appearance.
Users have found that this transparency often makes text difficult to read, especially in areas like the Control Center and Finder sidebars.
### A Design Idea, but an Engineering Hiccup
Gurman clarifies that the issue isn’t with the design itself but rather with its execution. The adjustments in macOS 27 are aimed at delivering the Liquid Glass experience as originally intended by Apple’s design team, which just wasn’t ready in time for the launch of the Tahoe version.
This isn’t the first time Apple has taken this approach. After the redesign of iOS 7 in 2013, the company spent the following year smoothing out issues with iOS 8. It seems like history might be repeating itself here.
In addition to the visual updates, macOS 27 aims to enhance reliability and performance, promising better battery life, fewer bugs, and cleaner code across the system. It’s similar to the energy boost seen with iOS 12, but tailored for Mac users.
### Exciting New Features on the Way
One of the standout features in both macOS 27 and iOS 27 is a redesigned Siri. This new version will feature a chatbot-style interface, increased integration with other Apple services, and a unified experience between Siri and Spotlight. Users will also have the option to select different AI models for various Apple Intelligence functions.
Safari is also getting a helpful new feature: automatic tab grouping. This allows users to tap “Organize Tabs” and have the system categorize their numerous open tabs by topic, making everything easier to manage.
The official reveal of these updates will take place at WWDC on June 8. Keep an eye out for more details!
