Ever felt a twinge of envy seeing the latest macOS features? You're not alone. Apple's recent release of macOS 26 Tahoe has tech enthusiasts buzzing, thanks to its stunning 'Liquid Glass' UI design, enhanced cross-device compatibility, and productivity-boosting Apple Intelligence features. But here's the twist: some of these 'new' features aren't as groundbreaking as they seem. In fact, Windows users have been enjoying similar functionalities for years. Let's dive into four such features that Windows PCs had long before they made their way to Mac.
1. Window Tiling: A Productivity Game-Changer
Apple recently introduced native window snapping enhancements in macOS Sequoia and iPadOS 26, allowing users to arrange windows side by side. For instance, you can now drag a Slack window next to your browser for seamless multitasking. While this is a welcome addition, Windows has been doing this for ages—and arguably better. Simply dragging a window to the top of the screen in Windows activates a grid preview, offering a variety of positioning options that have been a staple for years.
2. The Game App: Catching Up to the Champion
Apple's new Games app, unveiled at WWDC, aims to be a unified gaming hub across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. It includes features like a dedicated Apple Arcade tab, a Library for App Store games, and a 'Play Together' tab for social gaming. But let's be real: Windows 11 still dominates the gaming landscape. Most games and essential gaming apps like Discord and Steam are optimized for Windows, giving it a significant edge. Apple's entry into this space is bold, but it faces an uphill battle against established platforms.
3. Live Translation: Not as Revolutionary as It Seems
macOS 26's real-time translation features, such as live captions in FaceTime and on-device translation in Messages, are impressive. However, Windows' Copilot+ PCs introduced similar functionality last year. The Windows version supports over 40 languages across all applications and platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Chrome, and Netflix—even offline. While Apple's on-device processing adds a security layer, the core functionality isn't entirely new.
4. Customized Folder Icons: A Nostalgic Windows Feature
macOS 26 now lets users customize folder and file icons in Finder, offering options like changing colors or adding emojis. But this feature has been a part of Windows since the early days of Windows 3.1. Though not widely used daily, it's a testament to Windows' long-standing commitment to customization. Apple's implementation is sleek, but it's hardly a novel concept.
And this is the part most people miss: While Apple's execution is often polished, many of its 'innovations' build on ideas that have existed elsewhere. This isn't a knock against Apple—it's a reminder that progress often involves refining and adapting existing concepts. But here's where it gets controversial: Does Apple deserve credit for 'perfecting' features that others pioneered, or should we acknowledge the original innovators? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. After all, the tech world thrives on this very debate!
