Ahead of the release of OS X 10.11, the rumor mill is churning with what Apple might add to the next version of its desktop operating system. The latest batch of rumors, coming from 9to5Mac, claim that the focus of the next OS X version will be on interface tweaks, new security features, and stability and performance.
Starting with the interface side of things, it looks like Apple is going to add a control center that is similar to the one found in iOS. The feature was first found in the beta releases of OS X Yosemite, but it didn’t actually launch with the final version.
Basically, the control center would move some of the controls from the Menu Bar to a pane that slides out from the side of the screen. Functions like music control will be featured here. The report also indicates that this new feature “has been in flux during development, and could be pushed back again.”
Another major expected announcement is a kernel-level security system called “Rootless” that would curb malware and protect sensitive data by preventing access to certain protected files. Reportedly, this feature can be disabled on OS X, though the iOS version seems locked in.
Sticking with the security theme, Apple also looks to be moving its IMAP apps such as Notes, Reminders, and Calendar to an iCloud Drive back-end. That would improve security, and could improve performance.
The final feature rumored to be part of OS X 10.11 is a new “trusted Wi-Fi” feature. This would allow users to connect to certain routers with no additional security constraints.
While this update isn’t quite as exciting (yet) as Yosemite, with its new features and more front-facing goodies, OS X 10.11 should still bring some solid improvements to Mac users across the board.
