Your MacBook is getting a huge free upgrade as Apple reveals macOS Monterey release date

MacBook and iMac fans have faced a very long wait for news on the next generation of macOS software but Apple has now finally revealed that its new Monterey upgrade will be released across the globe on Monday, October 25. This update was first announced back in June during the firm’s WWDC Developers Conference with it coming packed with new features that will help users make notes faster, stay focused on their tasks and improve the experience for anyone who uses a Mac and iPad side-by-side.

Of course, the biggest change in macOS Monterey comes to anyone who spends hours chatting to friends and family via FaceTime.

This popular video calling software gets a complete overhaul with users able to schedule calls, blur the room behind them thanks to Portrait Mode, minimise annoying background noise and share whatever happens to be on their screens.

And it’s not just boring spreadsheets that offer this interaction as the new SharePlay feature is also coming to the Mac so you can sit down and watch a movie or binge on episodes of Ted Lasso with friends and family who might live on the other sides of the planet.

Other extras include a new and completely redesigned Safari web browser that’s more streamlined and less cluttered plus a new feature called Tab Groups will offer a new way to easily save and manage tabs and the background of the browser will automatically change to match the website you are visiting.

Another useful addition in Monterey is Universal Control. This technology basically allows Mac and iPad owners to seamlessly move across devices using one mouse and keyboard without needing to dig into any complicated settings.

Apple says that Universal Control lets users work with a single mouse and keyboard and move between Mac and iPad for a seamless experience, with no setup required.

If you always feel like you’re getting distracted then the new Focus mode gives you more control over what notifications will appear on the screen.

Some other bonus extras include Quick Notes to help you jot down ideas and Live Text allows you to copy and paste words from a photo right into a document or email. The new Maps upgrade that arrived in iOS 15 last month is also arriving on the Mac with improved directions, stunning 3D views of cities including London and San Francisco and an improved globe that’s much more interactive.

“macOS Monterey is packed with features that help Mac users get more done, connect with friends and family in amazing new ways, and work across Mac and iPad more seamlessly than ever before,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We think our customers are going to love browsing the web with Safari’s new tab design, enjoying shared experiences with SharePlay in FaceTime, and using their Mac and other Apple devices together in new ways with Universal Control and AirPlay to Mac.”

It’s worth noting that All MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops launched before 2015 will not be able to run macOS Monterey when it lands this autumn. iMac desktop computers launched before 2015 will also be culled from the latest operating system.