At WWDC 2023, Apple revealed the macOS Sonoma update, the latest iteration of their powerful desktop operating system. This much-anticipated update includes a slew of new features that improve the Mac experience.
From configurable widgets and engaging video conferencing to better online browsing and gaming performance, macOS Sonoma provides a compelling package for Mac users. This article delves into the important features of macOS Sonoma update and how they improve the entire Mac experience.
Below is the highlight of all the new features announced:
Table of Contents
Use Interactive Widgets to Get More Done
With the release of the macOS Sonoma update, widgets have gotten even more powerful and personal on the Mac. Users can now add widgets right to their desktops for quick and easy access. The widget gallery offers a diverse variety of widgets from which users can effortlessly drag & drop their favorites onto the desktop. Widgets merge with the wallpaper to create a distraction-free working environment.
Furthermore, the Continuity function allows users to use iPhone widgets on their Mac, enhancing personalization and productivity options. These interactive widgets enable users to conduct tasks such as checking off reminders, controlling media playback, and monitoring smart home devices directly from the desktop.
Intelligent Video Conferencing Experiences
The expanded video conferencing tools in the macOS Sonoma update make remote presentations more interesting and interactive. The Presenter Overlay function allows users to display themselves on top of the content they are sharing, giving presentations a more professional appearance.
Furthermore, the Reactions feature allows users to express themselves through amusing gesture-triggered video effects, which improves the entire video conferencing experience.
The updated Screen Sharing picker streamlines the process of sharing apps during video conversations, allowing users to present their work to others in real-time. These developments in video conferencing capabilities enable users to successfully interact and collaborate, whether for professional or personal reasons.
Major Safari Updates
Safari, macOS Sonoma’s fastest web browser, receives significant upgrades, elevating the web surfing experience to new heights. Private Browsing now provides even more security against trackers and unauthorized device access. Advanced tracking and fingerprinting safeguards improve user privacy and security when surfing the web.
Users can now keep their surfing distinct between different themes or projects thanks to the introduction of profiles. Profiles organize and isolate cookies, browsing history, extensions, tab groups, and favorites for a more seamless surfing experience.
Safari also allows you to create web apps that function like traditional applications, giving you faster access to your favorite sites and a reduced toolbar for an app-like experience.
Beautiful New Screen Savers
macOS Sonoma update adds stunning screen savers to the Mac, including slow-motion movies of gorgeous sites throughout the world. As their screensavers transition to the desktop, users can enjoy breathtaking sights including landscapes, cityscapes, undersea vistas, and more.
These aesthetically immersive screen savers improve the overall Mac experience by bringing beauty and serenity to the user’s workstation. The new screen savers may be accessed via the repositioned login experience at the bottom of the screen, ensuring a smooth transition from screensaver to desktop.
Games Get Even Better By macOS Sonoma Update
Mac users may now enjoy outstanding graphics performance and demanding games with beautiful visuals and long battery life thanks to the power of Apple silicon. macOS Sonoma includes a new Game Mode that prioritizes CPU and GPU resources to improve gaming performance. This setting assures better and more constant frame rates, giving Mac users an immersive gaming experience.
Developers may use Metal’s new game porting toolkit to make it easier to transfer games from other platforms to Mac. The toolkit simplifies the conversion of existing games to Metal, improving performance and delivering outstanding gaming experiences on the Mac platform.
Furthermore, the macOS Sonoma update adds support for the most recent gaming technologies, like DirectX 12 and Vulkan, broadening the selection of games available to Mac users. With these improvements, Mac gaming reaches new heights, enticing both casual and hardcore players.
Public Beta Release Date and Mac Compatibility
Developers will be getting access to macOS Sonoma starting today and the public beta will be released in July.
macOS Sonoma will be compatible with below Macs:
iMac Pro (2017) (Intel)
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019) (Intel)
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) (Intel)
iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018) (Intel)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019) (Intel)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020) (Intel)
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) (Intel)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) (Intel)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) (Intel)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019) (Intel)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) (Intel)
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) (Intel)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) (Intel)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) (Intel)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1, 2021)
MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1, 2021)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022)
MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2, 2023)
MacBook Pro (14-inch,M2, 2023)
Mac Pro (Rack, 2019)
Mac Pro (2019)
Mac Pro (M2)
Mac Studio
Mac mini (2018)
Mac mini (M1, 2020)
Mac mini (M2, 2023)
Conclusion
With its robust features and refinements, the macOS Sonoma update improves the Mac experience. The addition of interactive widgets, which can be placed right on the desktop, allows users to be more productive and personalize their workspace. greater video conferencing capabilities make distant conversations more entertaining and efficient, while major Safari improvements provide greater privacy, security, and a more smooth surfing experience.
The gorgeous new screen savers bring a touch of elegance and calm to the Mac desktop, improving its overall aesthetic appeal. Finally, developments in gaming performance and support for gaming technologies cement the Mac as a gaming platform of choice. Apple continues to develop and provide Mac customers with a rich and immersive computing experience in the macOS Sonoma update.
Disclaimer:
AI was used to conduct research and help write parts of the article. We primarily use the Gemini model developed by Google AI. While AI-assisted in creating this content, it was reviewed and edited by a human editor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to Google's webmaster guidelines.
