[Digital Today reporter Kyungmin Hong (홍경민)] Apple will unveil macOS 27 within weeks, a next-generation Mac operating system built around a sweeping AI-based overhaul of Siri, automatic organisation of Safari tabs and broader system design improvements.

On May 19, local time, IT outlet 9to5Mac reported that Apple will present the next-generation Mac software at its annual developer event to be held soon. To do so, it decided to officially end operating system support for four older Mac models based on Intel processors. The new operating system will fully break with Intel models and be compatible only with the latest Mac models equipped with Apple Silicon chipsets.

■ An evolved next-generation Siri The biggest core of this fully revamped software update is the inclusion of a next-generation Siri app known by the codename Campos. The updated Siri features a standalone chatbot-style interface similar to ChatGPT or Google Gemini. It can handle broad searches and questions by learning world knowledge based on a large language model, and it also has advanced agent capabilities, including executing complex commands and analysing user requests and on-screen context in real time to carry out system control tasks.

■ AI-based Safari tab organisation Beyond Siri’s evolution, Apple has more tightly integrated AI across the system. In the Safari web browser, a new dedicated “Organize Tabs” button will use AI to automatically sort and group large numbers of tabs by common topics, helping keep complex browsing environments cleaner.

■ AI-based photo editing features The frequently used Photos app will also adopt AI and see a major performance upgrade. Three new image-editing tools will be added using a next-generation Apple Foundation Model based on Google’s Gemini. They include Extend, which virtually expands and fills space outside the original frame; Enhance, which uses AI to improve colour, lighting and overall image quality; and a Reframe tool for spatial photos that lets users freely change perspective and viewpoint even after shooting.

■ Creating shortcuts using natural language The Shortcuts app, which boosts work productivity, will also add powerful features through Apple Intelligence. If users describe in everyday natural language what they want to do, the system will determine the code on its own, automatically design a completely new custom shortcut and suggest required actions.

■ Refining Liquid Glass design and optimising for touch There will also be meaningful changes to the user interface and system design. Apple plans to improve the completeness of the Liquid Glass design style criticised in the existing macOS Tahoe system, cleanly resolving issues with visual legibility and screen contrast. With Apple set to launch its first MacBook Ultra with a touchscreen panel later this year, the design will incorporate extensive fine-grained UI optimisation so all functions run smoothly not only with a mouse but also in a finger-touch environment.

In this way, the new macOS 27 spans technologies ranging from an evolved chatbot-style Siri to Safari tab organisation, AI photo editing and natural-language shortcut creation. With strong Apple Intelligence performance incorporating the Google Gemini engine and design innovation aimed at touchscreen environments, this update is expected to be a major turning point that will change the Mac ecosystem paradigm.