Named after the scenic region in Northern California, Apple on Tuesday unveiled its latest macOS update, Sonoma. This update brings a host of improvements and new features, with the most noticeable one perhaps being the new desktop widgets. But that’s only one of many, and below, we take a look at everything new with this version.
Widgets have been a part of macOS for a while, but Sonoma takes them to the next level. They’re now more interactive and accessible than ever. These handy tools, which used to reside in the Today view, have now found a permanent home right on your desktop. You can easily customize their placement and when not in use, they blend seamlessly into your wallpaper. What’s more, with Continuity, your iPhone’s widgets are now synced with your Mac.
Video conferencing with a twist
Apple has introduced some exciting features to enhance your virtual meetings. The Presenter Overlay video effect is a standout, putting your avatar front and center during screen sharing. It adds a personal touch to your presentations.
Moreover, the new Screen Sharing picker simplifies app sharing during calls. And let’s not forget the fun part – the Reactions feature, which adds balloons, confetti, and hearts based on hand gestures.
Messages and Mail enhancements
In Messages, a new stickers experience awaits, and all emojis now double as stickers. You can even create custom stickers from Live Photos. Searching through your messages is more efficient with filters, and group chats make it easy to pick up where you left off.
In the Mail app, one-time verification codes now autofill in Safari, eliminating the need to switch apps constantly. The app now also prioritizes travel-related emails and gains big emoji support.
Photos and Music additions
Photos now recognize pets in the People album and expand Visual Lookup to videos and even food, suggesting related recipes. AirTags can now be shared through the Find My app, and the Home app’s Activity History provides valuable insights.
For the Music app, Collaborative playlists are on the horizon, and muting your AirPods is now as easy as a press on the stem. Moreover, switching between devices is now quicker and more seamless.
Safari takes privacy up a notch
Apple’s Safari web browser has received some noteworthy upgrades in Sonoma. When you step away from your computer, Private Browsing mode now locks behind Touch ID for added privacy. Moreover, the browser’s search feature is now more responsive with better suggestions. Plus, you can create separate profiles for work and personal browsing, each with its own history, cookies, and extensions. Switching between them takes just a click. Meanwhile, favourite websites can now be ‘installed’ as web apps.
Shared passwords
The new Passwords section in Settings allows you to share crucial passwords and passkeys with family and friends. These passwords are securely stored in iCloud Keychain and support end-to-end encryption.
Notes and Reminders get smarter
The Notes app now supports inline PDFs and full-width document scans, making it a powerful tool for organizing information. You can also link related notes together seamlessly. Forms can be filled in quickly with AutoFill in PDFs.
Reminders, too, gets an upgrade with grocery list organization and customizable sections for deeper organization. The new column view provides a fresh look for managing your tasks.
Elevated screen sharing experience
For professionals who rely on screen sharing, Sonoma introduces a high-performance mode. This mode offers low-latency audio, high frame rates, and support for up to two virtual displays and reference colour.
Siri, autocorrect, and dictation improvements
Say goodbye to the “Hey Siri” command; now, a simple “Siri” will do the trick. Autocorrect receives a much-needed overhaul, providing more accurate corrections. Inline completions for entire sentences make typing a breeze. And if you’re a fan of dictation, you’ll appreciate the improved speech recognition.
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Game on with Game Mode
Gamers on Macs with Apple silicon chips have something to cheer about. Game Mode optimizes gaming performance by prioritizing CPU and GPU resources. This means smoother and more consistent frame rates. It also reduces audio latency with AirPods and minimizes input lag with Xbox and PlayStation game controllers.
A visual treat with new screen savers
Sonoma adds a visual feast with Apple TV-like screen savers featuring breathtaking slow-motion videos from around the world. Whether you prefer landscapes, cityscapes, or underwater wonders, there’s a theme to suit your taste. When your Mac wakes up, these screen savers seamlessly transition into desktop wallpapers, adding an elegant touch to your workspace.
Going big on accessibility
Sonoma introduces new accessibility features, including support for Made for iPhone hearing devices during calls and media consumption. Live Speech empowers nonspeaking users to vocalize their thoughts during calls and conversations. Plus, phonetic suggestions enhance dictation and text editing with Voice Control.
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First published on: 26-09-2023 at 22:30 IST
