MacOS 27 Gets a Name: Golden Gate
Key takeaways
- Apple kicked off WWDC 2026 not by talking up Siri's added AI smarts or explaining new i OS 27 features.
- Based on the results of CNET's Big Guessing Game, Apple threw us a curveball with Golden Gate.
- After introducing the somewhat polarizing Liquid Glass design last year, this year's update is more about performance and stability improvements than a radical design shift.
Apple kicked off WWDC 2026 not by talking up Siri's added AI smarts or explaining new i OS 27 features. No, it started by slapping a name on the next version of Mac OS. With the help of a VW bus driving by, Apple software chief Craig Federighi introduced Mac OS 27 Golden Gate.
Based on the results of CNET's Big Guessing Game, Apple threw us a curveball with Golden Gate. It was not among the top guesses that included Redwood, Shasta, Mammoth, Big Bear and Emerald Bay.
After introducing the somewhat polarizing Liquid Glass design last year, this year's update is more about performance and stability improvements than a radical design shift. Think tighter corner radii on windows than an entirely new look. Apple promises Golden Gate will feel more responsive with snappier animations and a rebuilt search that's more efficient and comprehensive so you can find things faster in Spotlight, Photos and Mail.