14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is pushing harder for an approach that Microsoft pioneered (and which, in the meantime, failed): deeper ties between iOS and macOS in order to merge the two ecosystems for seamless transition from one to another.
One of the company’s latest efforts concerns more iOS features that are migrated to macOS, with a report from 9to5mac indicating that the next version of the desktop OS would bring several improvements in this regard.
macOS 10.15 is expected to include Screen Time and Siri Shortcuts, both of which are already available on iOS devices and which could technically help merge mobile and the PC.
Siri Shortcuts, which can be installed on iPhone and iPad from the App Store, will also go live for macOS users with the release of the next major update later this year, the source adds. At this point, however, it’s not yet known if Apple wants to use a similar approach and offer the app though the Mac App Store or bundle it with the operating system.
Microsoft tried it too
Screen Time will come with a new panel in System Preferences and will allow users to configure how much time they can run certain apps. When the threshold is reached, the screen is locked and the password needs to be provided in order to continue using the app.
Microsoft pushed for OS convergence a few years ago when it tried to merge Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10. Given the poor adoption of the mobile operating system, however, this plan eventually failed, and Microsoft ended up migrating several features from smartphones to the desktop.
Apple’s plan, however, has bigger chances to succeed, especially given the huge app portfolio that powers the iPhone.
More information on this project is expected to be unveiled in June at Apple’s WWDC, as the Cupertino-based tech giant is likely to insist harder for developers to prepare their apps for the merge between iOS and macOS.