macOS High Sierra is the latest version of Apple's desktop operating system. The platform offers a new file storage system, supports High Definition Video Encoding (HEVC) technology and advanced Metal technology created by Apple and offers features such as machine learning or virtual reality content creation. In addition, macOS High Sierra has enhanced many applications that Mac users use every day, such as Photos, Safari, and Mail.

The first beta builds give developers an early look at some of the new features announced for the upcoming system software versions for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.

Currently macOS High Sierra is only available to paying Apple developers, with a public beta coming in July. However for those of you who want to get their hands on it right now, you can do just that. You don’t need to be a paying to developer to install and use macOS High Sierra developer preview 1. All you need is the install file and a Mac to install it on. I would however not recommend installing this as your default operating system. It is best to install it within a virtual machine or on an external drive, due to the inevitable bugs you will run into.

1. Apple file system
The Apple file system (APFS) with improved performance is reliable and safe. The architecture is optimized for modern storage technologies designed for high capacity. APFS allows you to instantly perform daily activities, such as copying files or folders, ensures data integrity in the event of power outages and system failures, and also securely protects files using the built-in encryption. macOS High Sierra is fully compatible with previously formatted HFS disks for reading and writing and is created taking into account the further development of storage technologies.

2. Highly efficient video encoding
Support for the industry standard HEVC (H.265) allows you to play in normal and streaming mode 4K video files of excellent quality, occupying up to 40% less space than with the existing H.264 standard. Thanks to HEVC technology, Apple was able to provide high-quality video streaming over networks in which only HD video streaming was possible before. And with the hardware acceleration features on the new iMac and MacBook Pro, the HEVC editing and coding processes are fast and energy efficient.

3. Metal 2
Metal is the fastest way to use the capabilities of the Mac processor. Technology Metal 2 with an improved API and increased performance allows developers to make applications even faster. Now it supports the machine learning capabilities used for machine vision, speech recognition and natural language processing. The most demanding users will have access to external graphics processors through a combination of Thunderbolt 3 and Metal 2. The External Graphics Developer Kit provides developers with all the software and hardware capabilities needed to improve applications.

4. Virtual Reality
macOS High Sierra, based on the performance of Metal 2 and the new Mac, for the first time supports the creation of virtual reality content, so developers can create new games on the Mac, 3D content and virtual reality content. Leading companies specializing in virtual reality, in collaboration with Apple, are developing new tools for Mac that will be available later this year. For example, Valve optimizes the virtual reality platform SteamVR for macOS and provides support for the HTC Vive, while Unity and Epic customize their virtual reality content development tools for macOS. In addition, later this year in Final Cut Pro X will support professional streams of 360 degrees with the ability to import, install and export spherical video.

5. Mac application enhancements
In the Photos application, macOS High Sierra has a new sidebar with albums and sorting tools, which is always on the screen. The updated editing mode includes new powerful tools: "Curves" for fine-tuning the color and contrast and "Defined color" for changing the selected color. Live pictures can now be applied with funny effects, and the "Memories" function combines photos and video of the user in accordance with new themes. In the Photos application, external photo editors are now supported, so you can open Photoshop, Pixelmator and other applications directly from Photos, and the edits are saved in the Photos library. For the first time, thanks to the support of third-party extensions, users can print and publish images through the Animoto, ifolor, Shutterfly, WhiteWall and Wix services directly from the Photos application.
If you have a developer account, you can download macOS High Sierra beta right now.

Additional application enhancements:
• In Safari, you can automatically activate Reader mode and open articles in a convenient, concise way, and Autoplay Blocking blocks the automatic playback of audio media files in the browser.
• Intelligent Tracking Prevention in Safari uses machine learning techniques to locate and delete data that advertisers use to track user activity on the Internet.
• Search in Mail becomes faster and easier thanks to Top Hits: actual letters are at the top of the list.
• The Siri voice on the Mac has become more natural and expressive, and when using Apple Music, the voice assistant takes into account your preferences, creates suitable playlists and answers questions about music.
• In the Notes, simple tables have been added - now the user can type text in cells, edit tables and move rows and columns.
• In Spotlight you can find information about the flight, including arrival and departure times, flight delays, terminal or gate information and even a map of your flight.
• The iCloud File Sharing function allows you to share any file from iCloud Drive and opens up new collaboration opportunities.

Supported models:
• iMac (mid-2009 model or newer)
• MacBook Air (end-2010 model or newer)
• MacBook (model end of 2009 or newer)
• Mac mini (model beginning 2010 or later)
• MacBook Pro (2010 model or newer model)
• Mac Pro (2010 model or newer model)