Onstage at the WWDC 2023 conference, Apple has just introduced macOS Sonoma, the most recent version of its desktop operating system. The most notable new additions include support for widgets on the desktop, a fresh game mode, and animated aerial screensavers. According to the release pattern that Apple has used in recent years, the upgrade, which is also known as macOS 14, is expected to be available in the form of a developer beta very soon and as a public beta in the following weeks. Later in this year, widespread availability is anticipated.
Widgets can be efficiently imported from an iPhone through Continuity if both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This may be accomplished by dragging the widget from the Notification Centre to the desktop. They are supposed to go into the background when you open a window, but they might be interactive (for instance, they can let you cross things off a to-do list or control the playing of media or linked smart home devices).
There is also a new “Game Mode” for Mac, which is supposed to prioritise a game’s access to CPU and GPU resources and minimise latency for linked Xbox and PlayStation controllers, as well as AirPods. Apple claims that the mode is compatible with all of the games available for the operating system. As a demonstration of Apple’s dedication to gaming on the Mac, the company invited video game designer Hideo Kojima to come on its broadcast and reveal that the director’s cut of Death Stranding would be ported over to the macOS operating system.
Additionally, additional enhancements are being made to videoconferencing, such as the addition of a Presenter Overlay function, which enables users to display information, such as slide displays, behind them while keeping their faces in view of the camera. These functionalities, along with a collection of reactive augmented reality effects that may be engaged during conversations, are presumably usable across any and all videoconferencing applications.
Additionally, Sonoma will ship with updated versions of Apple’s Safari web browser. With the addition of support for alerts and the capability to pin them to your dock, web apps may now act more similarly to normal macOS applications. There is support for profiles so that you may keep cookies, browsing history, and tab groups distinct depending on whether you’re using it for business or in a personal capacity, and private browsing windows are meant to give extra safeguards against online monitoring and lock when you’re not using them. In addition, there is support for profiles so that you can keep tab groups separate from each other. Using iCloud Keychain, Apple also wants to make it simpler and more safe to exchange passkeys and passwords with one another.
Apple has said that in addition to the changes that are particular to macOS, some of the enhancements that were announced for iOS 17 would also be available for the company’s computer operating system. These include greater sticker capabilities, faster form-filling in PDFs, improved autocorrect, and the ability to call up Siri without first pronouncing the word “hey.” Siri may also be summoned by saying “Hey.”
