Apple’s Next Big Thing: Update Your Mac Right Through Its Box!

Exciting Find by 9To5Mac in macOS Tahoe’s Latest Beta

In an intriguing revelation uncovered by 9To5Mac within the third beta version of macOS Tahoe, Apple appears to be developing a method to update a Mac’s software while it is still in its packaging. This concept isn’t new to Apple, as a similar system named Presto is already in use for iPhones. Within Apple Stores, this setup ensures that iPhones are sold with the most recent iOS version installed.

How Might This System Work?

For the iPhone, the Presto system consists of a two-tiered locker with rails that can precisely hold up to six boxes at once. It employs NFC technology to power on the iPhone, apply the update, and then shut it down again, all without the need for an external power source since the battery comes pre-charged. The Mac, however, lacks an NFC chip, suggesting that this feature might rely on Bluetooth instead. It’s expected that this capability will be available only for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro due to their battery-powered design, as desktop Macs do not have an internal battery.

Strategic Benefits for Apple

Implementing such a system offers a significant strategic advantage for Apple: it decouples the device’s production from the finalization of its operating system. This allows Apple to pre-install a beta version of the software well before its release, continue refining the operating system up until the last moment, and eliminates the need for customers to install an update themselves when they first turn on their new device.