The latest version of Apple’s desktop operating system is here with macOS Sonoma. Named after the small resort town in California, MacOS Sonoma brings several UI overhauls, starting with the new interactive widgets.
Building on the widgets introduced in iOS 16, macOS Sonoma offers new desktop widgets. Continuity allows iPhone users to transfer their existing iOS widgets to their Mac as long as both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Presenter Overlay is a new feature for video conferencing apps powered by the Neural Engine in Apple silicon chips. It will let you share documents on your desktop for others to see all while keeping your face on the camera. The feature also boasts AR effects and video reactions during calls, and Apple says all of these features will work on any video conferencing app.
Game Mode will prioritize games accessing CPU and GPU resources on Macs powered by Apple silicon chips to improve performance. Audio latency with AirPods is “significantly reduced,” and input latency from Bluetooth controllers like Xbox and PlayStation joysticks now feature double the Bluetooth sample rate.
Speaking of games, Death Stranding Director’s Cut is officially coming to macOS later this year, as announced by game developer Hideo Kojima on stage. Metal’s new game port kit will make it easier for game developers to port their titles to macOS faster than ever before.
Safari is getting family passwords and topic-based web browsing profiles as well as new privacy and accessibility features. Web apps will now function like regular macOS apps, including support for notifications and the ability to be pinned to the dock. Other under-the-radar features in macOS Sonoma include new and improved autocorrect, updated reminders with smart shopping lists, as well as improved quick PDF form filling and document scanning in the Notes app.
The macOS Sonoma developer beta is available starting today. A public beta will be made available next month, with the official release of macOS Sonoma slated for this fall.
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