Apple unveils macOS Sonoma, the newest iteration of its desktop operating system. Packed with impressive features, macOS Sonoma, also known as macOS 14, promises to enhance the user experience and take desktop computing to new heights.
One of the standout features of macOS Sonoma is the support for widgets on the desktop. Users can drag widgets from the Action Center directly onto the desktop or import them from their iPhones if the devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. These interactive widgets allow users to perform various tasks, such as checking off items on a to-do list, controlling media playback, or managing connected smart home devices. As an added convenience, the widgets will seamlessly fade into the background when the corresponding window is maximized, ensuring an uncluttered workspace.
In a move that showcases Apple’s dedication to gaming on Mac, macOS Sonoma introduces an exciting Game Mode. This option values CPU and GPU resources for gaming, decreasing latency when using AirPods, Xbox, or PlayStation controllers. Apple has even engaged the help of famed game creator Hideo Kojima, who just announced the release of the highly anticipated Death Stranding Director’s Cut on macOS. Mac users can anticipate an optimized and immersive gaming experience like never before with Game Mode support for any game.
The macOS Sonoma update also brings significant enhancements to video conferencing. With the new Presenter Overlay feature, users can display content, such as slideshows, behind the speaker while cutting out the speaker’s face from the environment yet keeping it within the camera’s field of view. This innovative feature, coupled with a set of augmented reality effects that can be activated during video calls, enhances the capabilities of any video conferencing application, making virtual meetings more engaging and dynamic.
Furthermore, macOS Sonoma includes updates to the Apple Safari web browser. Web apps will now function like regular macOS apps, complete with notification support and the ability to be pinned to the taskbar for easy access.
The introduction of profiles allows users to store cookies, browsing history, and tab groups separately based on their work or personal profiles. Enhanced privacy features are also integrated, offering users reliable protection against surveillance through private browsing windows. Additionally, Apple has simplified the secure exchange of keys and passwords through iCloud Keychain, ensuring seamless and safe access to sensitive information.
Notably, macOS Sonoma will incorporate some of the updates from iOS 17, further aligning the desktop and mobile experiences. Among the shared updates are improvements to auto-correction, the ability to call upon Siri without uttering the phrase “Hey,” faster form filling in PDF files, and enhanced sticker functionality. These cross-platform enhancements contribute to a cohesive ecosystem that seamlessly integrates Apple devices and offers a unified user experience.
As Apple continues to push the boundaries of innovation, macOS Sonoma represents another significant step forward in the evolution of desktop computing. While the update will be available for developers in the coming days and for the general public in the following weeks, a wide release is expected later this year.
