Pulsestacks, April 19 - According to AppleInsider, Apple has been preparing for what is being called the most significant update ever to its Calculator app, with the last major design overhaul happening about a decade ago.
The version currently available in the early test phase of macOS 15 includes a variety of new features and an upgraded unit conversion system. Insiders reveal that the new version of the Calculator app, internally codenamed "GreyParrot" (named after the African grey parrot, known for its intelligence and cognitive abilities), is undergoing internal testing at Apple.
In addition to the previously reported "Math Notes" feature, the new version of the calculator will also introduce a new history sidebar. This sidebar will display a summary of previous calculations for users in a convenient side panel format, eliminating the need for external apps to record numbers or amounts. Users can now directly view past calculation data and processes within the macOS calculator, aiding in better judgment and summarization.
Furthermore, the new calculator version will allow users to toggle between three views of the history sidebar—Basic, Scientific, and Programmer—using a dedicated button located in the top-left corner of the window. Additionally, the new calculator will support window resizing, with buttons adjusting their size and shape based on window dimensions, similar to the calculator app in Windows.
Math Notes
Similar to the Notes app in Apple iOS 18, the new calculator app will also feature the "Math Notes" function. Essentially, Math Notes serve as an integrated notepad within the calculator, allowing users to quickly create notes containing special mathematical elements or symbols.
With the Math Notes feature, Apple aims to compete more effectively with market competitors such as Microsoft OneNote or the Soulver 3 calculator app. (Note: OneNote introduced mathematical annotations years ago, and Microsoft recently released a version for Apple Vision Pro.)
Unit Conversion
Addressing the issue in the current calculator app where unit conversion and mathematical operations cannot be performed simultaneously, Apple has optimized the unit conversion feature in the new calculator app to be more intuitive and straightforward.
In essence, the new calculator app will no longer display a series of dropdown menus to users, requiring them to perform unit conversions before calculations. Instead, unit conversion will be seamlessly integrated into the main interface upon activation.
In other words, Apple enables unit conversion to occur automatically when needed, assisting users in swiftly executing desired calculations. Once the calculator completes the corresponding calculation process, the result will automatically be converted to the selected unit, with annotations provided beneath the original unit, covering values such as amounts, taxes, exchange rates, and prices.
Sources also reveal that currency conversion in the new calculator relies on internet connectivity. It will automatically fetch current exchange rates from trusted third-party APIs and perform conversions, facilitating engineers or scientists in converting values to their preferred units.
