Exploring macOS Sonoma: What’s New in Apple’s Latest Operating System
Apple has a knack for naming its macOS versions after beautiful locations in California, and the latest is no exception. Say hello to macOS Sonoma, the successor to Monterey. Sonoma, known for its stunning landscapes and wine country, brings a host of exciting features and improvements to your Mac. Let’s dive in and explore what this new operating system has in store.
Screen Savers That Mesmerise
One of the first things you’ll notice with macOS Sonoma is the addition of breathtaking slow-motion screen savers. These visuals showcase stunning locations from around the world and look absolutely beautiful on your Mac’s large display. What’s even cooler is that when you log in, these screen savers seamlessly become your desktop wallpaper, adding a touch of elegance to your daily computing experience.
Widgets Take Center Stage
Widgets have been a part of macOS for a while, but Sonoma takes them up a notch. You can now add widgets directly to your desktop from the new widget gallery. This means you can have quick access to your favorite widgets, whether it’s playing a podcast, controlling your lights, or keeping an eye on the weather, all right from your desktop.
And if you’re coming from an iPhone, you’ll love this: thanks to Continuity, you can add your iPhone widgets to your Mac’s desktop without needing to install the corresponding apps on your computer. It’s all about convenience and staying organized.
Enhanced Video Conferencing
In a world where video calls have become the norm, Sonoma steps up its game in video conferencing. The new Presenter Overlay feature keeps you front and center during screen sharing. You can choose between two overlay styles – large and small. The large overlay puts you in the spotlight, with your screen framed next to you on a separate layer. You can move around, walk, and talk in front of your content, making your presentations more engaging.
The small overlay, on the other hand, allows you to appear in a movable bubble over your shared screen. This way, you can easily highlight important details while maintaining a presence in your virtual meetings.
And for some added fun, you can now react with your hands, adding 3D augmented reality effects like hearts, confetti, fireworks, and more to your video calls. Plus, sharing reactions is as simple as making a hand gesture. It’s a playful way to spice up your conversations.
Streamlined Screen Sharing
Screen sharing during video calls has become essential, and Sonoma makes it easier than ever. You can now easily share an app or even multiple apps directly from the window you’re in. No more fumbling through menus; it’s a smoother and more efficient way to collaborate.
And if you’re using Studio Display or your iPhone as your camera, you can control the composition of your video. Adjust the frame with zoom and pan controls or use Recenter to automatically place yourself in the center of the frame. It’s all about looking your best in those important meetings.
Safari Gets a Boost
Safari, Apple’s web browser, also receives some attention in Sonoma. You can now create separate profiles for topics like Work and Personal, helping you keep your browsing history, extensions, Tab Groups, cookies, and favorites neatly separated. Switching between profiles is a breeze, allowing for a more organized online experience.
Search in Safari is more responsive than ever, offering easier-to-read and more relevant suggestions. Plus, web apps can now be added to your Dock, giving you quick access to your favorite websites.
Passwords Made Easy
Managing passwords is a breeze with Sonoma. You can now share a set of passwords with trusted contacts, making it simpler to collaborate securely. Private Browsing has also been enhanced, locking private browsing windows when not in use, blocking known trackers, and removing identifying tracking from URLs as you browse.
Messages and More
In Messages, you can now use search filters to find specific messages faster. A new catch-up arrow lets you jump to the first message you haven’t seen in a conversation, while swiping right on any message allows you to reply instantly.
Sharing locations is more convenient, and the new sticker drawer lets you access Live Stickers and Memoji in one place. Your stickers even sync with iCloud for seamless access across your Apple devices.
PDFs and Notes
Working with PDFs in Notes is now easier with enhanced AutoFill, allowing you to quickly fill out PDFs or scanned documents using your saved information from Contacts. Soon, you’ll be able to view full-width PDFs right in Notes and navigate between pages seamlessly. You can also link related notes, making it simpler to connect related information.
Keyboard Improvements
Typing is a big part of our daily computing, and Sonoma enhances the typing experience with even more accurate autocorrect. Autocorrected words are temporarily underlined so you can see what’s been changed and revert back to the original word with a single click.
Gaming Galore
For the gamers out there, Sonoma brings more games to Mac than ever before. Fan-favorite titles are optimized for Mac, taking your gaming experience to new heights. The introduction of Game Mode gives games top priority on your Mac’s CPU and GPU, reducing background task usage and dramatically lowering latency for wireless accessories like AirPods and controllers.
Privacy and Security
Privacy and security are paramount, and Sonoma introduces features like Communication Safety, which extends protection to sensitive videos and photos. You can now blur sensitive photos and videos before viewing them, enhancing privacy. Improved permissions give you more control over what you share, and Lockdown Mode tightens security across all your Apple devices.
And Much More
Sonoma is packed with additional features and improvements, from accessibility enhancements like Personal Voice for users with speech loss to better integration with Made for iPhone hearing devices. There are updates for screen sharing, Reminders, Mail, Visual Look Up, Photos, Find My, Home, AirPods, Music, Dictation, Siri, and much more.
Compatibility
macOS Sonoma is compatible with various Mac models, including iMac, Mac Pro, iMac Pro, Mac Studio, MacBook Air, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro. It’s designed to work seamlessly with your existing hardware, providing you with a smooth and powerful computing experience.
Conclusion
macOS Sonoma is all about enhancing your Mac experience, whether it’s through stunning screen savers, streamlined video conferencing, improved web browsing, or better gaming performance. With a focus on privacy and security, it’s clear that Apple is committed to providing a top-notch operating system for Mac users. Whether you’re a professional, a creative, or simply someone who enjoys using a Mac, Sonoma has something to offer everyone.
This latest update is a testament to Apple’s dedication to making your Mac more capable, efficient, and fun to use. So, when macOS Sonoma becomes available, be sure to give it a try and explore all the new features and improvements it has in store for your Mac experience.
Also Read: iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max Overheating Issues: What’s Going On?
Also Read: Did You Know? Battery Capacities of the iPhone 15 Series
Also Read: Which iPhones Were Discontinued in India After the iPhone 15 Release?