New macOS Ventura Improves Spotlight
Will this convince Apple to switch Alfred users?
Apple introduced the new macOS 13 Ventura operating system in early June, which includes a significantly improved Spotlight search engine. First and foremost, it gets a slightly newer user experience and several new features that should take its efficiency to a new level. The changes announced have also opened up a rather interesting discussion.
Will the new features be enough, and can they convince more users to use Spotlight? Spotlight works on macOS as a search engine that can handle internal file and item searches and web searches. In addition, it has no problem using Siri, which allows it to function as a calculator, search the internet, convert units or currencies, and so on.
What’s new in Spotlight
In terms of news, there’s certainly no shortage of it. As mentioned above, Spotlight is getting a slightly better experience, which Apple promises will make navigation easier. All searched items will be displayed in slightly better order, and working with the results should be much better. Regarding options, there’s Quick Look for a quick preview of files or the ability to search for photos (across the system from the native Photos app and from the web).
To make matters worse, you’ll also be able to search for images based on their location, people, scenes or objects, while there’s also a Live Text feature that can read the text inside photos using machine learning. To boost productivity, Apple has also opted to implement so-called quick actions. With the snap of a finger, Spotlight can set a timer or alarm, create a document or launch a predefined shortcut.
The last innovation is related to the first mentioned change — better results display — as users will have much more detailed information after searching for artists, movies, actors, TV shows or businessmen/businesswomen or sports.
Does Spotlight have the potential to convince Alfred users?
Many Apple users still rely on the competing Alfred program instead of Spotlight. The latter works the same in practice and offers some additional options, but these are only available in the paid version. When Alfred came on the market, its capabilities far surpassed earlier versions of Spotlight and convinced many Apple users to use it.
Fortunately, Apple has recovered over time and has managed to match its solution's capabilities at least while offering something in which it has the edge over competing software. In this regard, we’re referring to the integration of Siri and its capabilities. At the same time, Alfred can offer the same capabilities, only if you’re willing to pay for it.
The Release Date For iPadOS 16 And macOS 13 Ventura
When will we finally see these systems?
medium.com
So nowadays, Apple users are divided into two camps. In the much larger one, people rely on native solutions, while in the smaller one, they still trust Alfred. It’s not surprising that with the introduction of the aforementioned changes, some apple people have started to consider returning to Apple Spotlight. There’s just one big but.
In all likelihood, those who have paid for the full version of Alfred won’t just walk away from it. That’s because Alfred offers an option called Workflows in the full version. If that’s the case, the program can handle just about anything, making it one of the best tools for using macOS. Do you rely on Spotlight, or do you find Alfred more useful?
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