Apple announced its transition to ARM-based processors at WWDC earlier this week and followed up with a new video that shows how iPhone and iPad apps will function on new Mac devices with custom CPUs.
The heavily rumoured move to a new architecture was confirmed on Monday, with Apple revealing that the first ARM Macs will go on sale in late 2020 ahead of a full transition that will take about two years.
The use of custom Apple processors opens up a whole new world for Mac users, who will now be able run a huge number of popular iOS and iPadOS apps within macOS without any additional modifications.
Users will be able to download the mobile-optimised apps from the Mac Store and access any in-app purchases they have made on iPhones and iPads.
Apple says that developers won’t be forced to extend their app functionality to Macs with Apple silicon, but it seems that the process of porting them over will be straightforward.
Developers who do not want to do so can simply navigate to App Store Connect and uncheck the ‘iOS App on Mac’ option.
Apple posted the new video on Wednesday just two days after revealing the switch in what CEO Tim Cook called a “historic day for the Mac”.
While ARM CPUs are now the focus, Apple said that it still plans to release Intel-powered Macs in the near future.
Apple also revealed its next Mac operating system, Big Sur, on Monday.
Version 11.0 of macOS promises big changes with a refined user interface that features new “depth, shading and translucency” and reworked icons that resemble iOS.
Safari will also get a speed boost of up to 50% over Chrome and will include a new privacy toolbar, translation tools and more customisation options.