WWDC 2017 Update: macOS High Sierra Now VR Compatible, Apple Partners with Valve Corporation
At the annual developer conference from Apple, the primary announcements were mostly about the software and the remaining part of the keynote also included hardware. Apple has really evolved their products to new levels including the iMacs that were previously rumored to be updated in September. The most important update to the macOS High Sierra was supporting virtual reality on the platform.
macOS High Sierra will be the new operating system on the existing MacBooks and also the newly introduced models. While the developer preview for the OS is available for developers from yesterday, Apple will offer their newly developed operating system for free, for all coming this fall. Metal, part of the operating system will now also support external GPU functionality that will make use of a USB Type-C port to utilize Thunderbolt 3 technology on the devices.
Details about native VR support reveal VR headsets can now be used by all Mac owners that are first of a kind from Apple. MacRumours reports SteamVR software development kit will be shortly available for developers, thanks to a partnership with Valve Corporation, the developers of Steam. The demonstration also included HTC Vive VR headset that's totally running on an iMac.
Thanks to Metal 2, advanced graphics rendering will now actively help in support VR content. As reported by Mashable, Apple has also optimized the macOS ecosystem in order to bring in the SteamVR platform and VR creation resources like Unity and Unreal Engine that are now natively supported. Mac users will finally be able to enjoy VR without the need of a Windows-based desktop.
Other major improvements part of the macOS High Sierra update includes a new overhaul for the Photos App that now includes a built-in photo editing tool. Apple's default Safari Browser will now automatically restrict websites from auto-playing videos. After a long time, an Apple Keynote is finally exciting to watch for everybody.