Down to the metal

The original Metal application programming interface (API) was designed to unleash the power of your Mac’s graphics processing unit, potentially making apps significantly more powerful. But Metal 2 further ups the ante, and Apple calls it a “graphics game changer.”

The company says Metal 2 will make it possible for apps on macOS High Sierra to offer a superior visual experience, but also add capabilities such as machine learning, virtual reality, and external GPUs for people working with high-end creative apps.

One app that looks like it’ll fully harness this new power is the popular picture editor Pixelmator. It’s set to go “pro” this fall, with a revamped single-window interface, and an enhanced Metal 2-powered painting engine. For more information about what looks like a good example of the benefits Metal 2 brings to apps, go to pixelmator.com/pro.