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VMWare announces Fusion 12, highlights macOS Big Sur support, upcoming features, and free pricing for personal tier

This could definitely come in handy.

VMWare on Thursday announced Fusion 12, the next step to its virtualization software. The new version will offer support for macOS Big Sur as well as other changes.

VMWare had originally announced a “tech preview” of Fusion 12, and suggested that future versions of its app would be compatible with ARM-based chips.

While Fusion 12 hasn’t added support for Apple Silicon processors, the update phases out VMWare’s use of kernel extensions by using new Apple APIs to support its containers and virtual machines. VMWare Fusion 12 will continue to use extensions on macOS Catalina, but will use the hypervisor and other APIs on macOS Big Sur — allowing support for the operating support as both guest and host machines. Apple is also currently in the midst of phasing out kernel extensions.

Fusion 12 also introduces compatibility with eGPUs, support for DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1, and support for Kubernetes containers. The new version will also introduce improvements in sandbox security and accessibility controls, among other changes.

Finally, VMWare has announced that it will make its base tier version of Fusion 12 free for personal use. A commercial license retails for $139, or

$89 as an upgrade from Fusion 10 or 11. Fusion 12 Pro will be priced at $199 for a new license, or $99 as an upgrade.

VMWare hasn’t announced a firm release date for Fusion 12, but said that the update will debut later in 2020.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via AppleInsider and VMWare