14 DAY TRIAL // Apple allows developers to preview the next version of macOS High Sierra, namely build 10.13.4, but the company says very little about the changes that are part of every new release.
Luckily, an early look at the official macOS 10.13.4 changelog is available today thanks to a French leak discovered by 9to5mac and which suggests that Apple is finally able to release several previously-announced features.
First and foremost, there’s support for Business Chat in Messages in the United States and Canada. While the availability of this new feature would be rather limited at first, it’s expected to work with a number of companies like Hilton, Lowe’s, and Wells Fargo, all of which were said to be Apple partners for the launch on iOS 11.3.
As for what it’s supposed to do, iMessage Business Chat will enable customer support and sales to be offered on Apple’s messaging platform from companies like the ones mentioned before. This essentially transforms iMessage from a consumer-oriented solution to an enterprise product, opening the door to more new features coming in the next years.
eGPU support
Additionally, macOS 10.13.4 could also integrate support for external graphics processors (eGPU), as Apple itself announced at WWDC in June 2017.
Safari browser will also get some new features, including a keyboard shortcut to navigate to the most recent tab by pressing Command + 9, as well as options to easily sort bookmarks by name or URL by right-clicking and choosing the “Sort by” option. Safari will also benefit from improved protection of personal data when automatically filling in usernames and passwords, while also displaying warnings when websites require sensitive details on unsecured pages.
At this point, there’s no information as to when macOS 10.13.4 could land, but with Apple holding an event at the end of the month, more information in this regard could be provided soon. The new update is already in an advanced development stage as part of the beta program.