Macworld December 2020

Macworld December 2020: Apple’s Big Transition Issue

The December 2020 issue of Macworld captures Apple’s ecosystem at a turning point. macOS Big Sur has just arrived with the biggest visual overhaul in years, iOS 14 is reshaping the iPhone home screen, and the iPhone 12 lineup has brought 5G and a new design. This issue gathers news, hands-on guidance, and reviews from the Macworld editorial team, giving Apple users a clear look at what changed and how to make the most of it.

macOS Big Sur: A Practical Tour of the New Interface

Roman Loyola walks through macOS 11 Big Sur’s refreshed look, from the redesigned menu bar and Dock to the new Control Center and Notification Center. The coverage explains how to add and arrange widgets, manage menu-bar items, and adjust to the spacing and styling changes. It’s a useful orientation for anyone installing Big Sur for the first time or supporting others through the upgrade.

iOS 14 and iPhone 12: What’s New, What Matters

The iOS 14 section covers the App Library, home-screen widgets, Maps updates, and the practical details of Apple’s latest mobile software. The iPhone 12 review weighs the new hardware against the competition, while later features examine the Epic versus Apple dispute and ask whether it’s time for Apple to reevaluate the App Store. These pieces blend hands-on advice with analysis of the forces shaping Apple’s platforms.

Hardware and Audio Reviews

Apple’s late-2020 hardware gets thorough attention: the HomePod mini, Apple Watch Series 6, and iPhone 12 Pro all come under review. The Playlist section also looks at third-party audio gear, including the Fluance Ai60 Bluetooth speaker and Andover Audio PM-50 planar magnetic headphones. Readers looking for buying guidance will find measured verdicts rather than hype.

Working Mac and Mac 911 Help Desk

Productivity-minded readers can turn to Working Mac for tutorials on Keynote’s Play Slideshow in Window feature, disabling content blockers, removing page numbers in Numbers, and deleting text in various ways on a Mac. The Mac 911 help desk answers reader questions about iCloud Drive storage, exporting and deleting Messages attachments, and more. These columns are built for people who want to solve everyday Mac problems quickly.

Who This Issue Is For

This issue suits Mac and iOS users who want a snapshot of Apple’s late-2020 software and hardware, along with practical how-tos and informed reviews. It is especially relevant for anyone upgrading to Big Sur, exploring iOS 14, or shopping for an iPhone 12, HomePod mini, or Apple Watch Series 6. The mix of tutorials, reviews, and opinion makes it a useful reference for both longtime Macworld readers and newer Apple users.