The latest beta of macOS Golden Gate 27.2 has sparked a lot of interest among the Apple user community, as it includes code that refers to new touch gestures for apps like Safari, Notes, Photos, and Quick Look. This development reinforces rumors that Apple may be preparing to release a new MacBook with an OLED touchscreen, possibly called the “MacBook Ultra.”
See also: Apple Ultra products: Foldable iPhone and touchscreen MacBook Pro
The addition of new gesture recognition tools to several Apple apps is a significant step towards improving the user experience. Specifically, Safari is getting a touch recognizer called sentinel, Photos is getting the PXGTouchDwellGestureRecognizer , Notes is getting the ICTouchPressGestureRecognizer , and Quick Look is adding the dragTouch feature . These changes indicate a clear intention by Apple to integrate more advanced touch features into its device ecosystem.
While this code could point to the development of a touchscreen MacBook, it also applies to Sidecar. macOS Golden Gate already brought full touch input to Sidecar, a feature that allows an iPad to be used as an external display for a Mac. This means Apple could expand the capabilities of Sidecar, offering a more complete touch experience, without necessarily indicating the release of a new Mac.
Touch-friendly changes are nothing new to macOS Golden Gate. Since its initial release, the operating system added pull-to-refresh gestures to Safari, Mail, and Calendar, showing the direction Apple is heading in. These improvements demonstrate the company's intention to offer a more natural and intuitive user experience, which could be further enhanced by the introduction of a touchscreen MacBook.
See also: MacBook Ultra: New premium category – What do we expect?
The potential launch of a MacBook Ultra with an OLED touchscreen has sparked excitement, as it is expected to bring significant innovations. The new model is rumored to be thinner and lighter than the current model, incorporating Dynamic Island, a technology already used in the iPhone, and Apple's new M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. These improvements could offer increased performance and better power management, making the MacBook Ultra an attractive option for professionals and creative users.
The expected release of the MacBook Ultra in late 2026 could mark a new era for MacBooks, offering users a device that combines the flexibility of a touchscreen with the power and reliability of Apple processors. However, it remains to be seen how the market will react and whether users will embrace this new approach.
See also: Apple: MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen and macOS 27.1
Apple has shown in the past that it is capable of innovating and redefining user expectations. While rumors about the MacBook Ultra remain unconfirmed, indications from macOS Golden Gate 27.2 suggest that the company is working in this direction. The introduction of new touch gestures and the integration of advanced technologies indicate that Apple is determined to provide its users with the best possible experience.
