Sonoma Update: Apple’s macOS Leap

A number of new features and enhancements are included in Apple’s macOS Sonoma update, including desktop widgets, improvements for video conferencing, updates for Messages and Mail, Photos and Music, privacy improvements for Safari, shared passwords, enhanced features for Notes and Reminders, an improved screen-sharing experience, Siri, autocorrect, and dictation improvements, Game Mode, new screen savers, and accessibility features.

Desktop widgets: You can now immediately install editable widgets on your desktop and have them blend in with the background image.

Enhancements to video conferencing include the Presenter Overlay video effect, which centres your avatar during screen sharing, and the new Screen Sharing picker, which makes it easier to share apps during sessions.

Updates to messages and mail: All emojis now function as stickers, and Messages has a new stickers experience. Filters make it easier to search through messages, and group chats make it simple to resume where you left off. One-time verification codes now automatically fill in Safari while using the Mail app. Additionally, the app prioritises communications with a travel theme and now supports large emoji.

Photos now recognise pets in the People album, and Visual Lookup has been expanded to include videos and even food, suggesting relevant recipes. The Find My app now allows for the sharing of AirTags, and the Activity History feature in the Home app offers useful information. Collaborative playlists are coming to the Music app, and muting your AirPods is now as simple as pressing the stem. Additionally, transferring data between devices is now speedier and more frictionless.

Upgrades to Safari’s privacy settings: For increased security, Private Browsing mode now locks behind Touch ID when you leave your computer. Additionally, the search function of the browser is now more responsive and offers better choices. Additionally, you are able to make distinct browsing profiles for personal and professional use, each with their own history, cookies, and extensions. Switching between them is a seamless process, requiring just a single click. Favourite websites can now be ‘installed’ as web apps in the meanwhile.

Shared passwords: You can now share important passwords and passkeys with loved ones using the new Passwords section in Settings. These passwords enable end-to-end encryption and are safely kept in the iCloud Keychain.

Improvements to Notes and Reminders: The Notes app has become a potent tool for information organisation with the addition of inline PDFs and full-width document scans. Additionally, you can easily connect notes that are connected. AutoFill in PDFs makes it simple to swiftly fill out forms. Organising grocery lists and adding sections that can be customised improves reminders as well. The new column view gives task management a modern feel.

Enhanced screen-sharing experience: Sonoma adds a high-performance mode for professionals that rely on screen sharing. This mode provides reference colour, low latency audio, fast frame rates, and support for up to two virtual screens.

Improvements to Siri, autocorrect, and dictation: You no longer need to say “Hey Siri”; just say “Siri” will do the task now. A much-needed update gives autocorrect a boost and makes adjustments that are more precise. Typing is made simple with inline completions for whole sentences. Additionally, if you enjoy dictation, you’ll value the enhanced speech recognition.

Game Mode: There is good news for Mac gamers who use Apple silicon chips. Game Mode prioritises CPU and GPU resources to enhance gaming performance. Frame rates will be more consistent and fluid as a result. Additionally, it lessens input lag when using Xbox and PlayStation game controllers as well as audio latency with AirPods.

New screen savers are a visual treat that Sonoma has added. They are similar to Apple TV screen savers and feature breath-taking slow-motion videos from all around the world. There is a theme to fit your preferences, whether you favour natural settings, urban scenes, or aquatic delights. These screen savers transform into desktop wallpaper when your Mac starts up, giving your workstation a classy feel.

Going big on accessibility, Sonoma introduces additional features, such as support for Made for iPhone hearing aids while making and receiving calls and watching media. Live Speech enables users who are unable to talk to express their views aloud during calls and conversations. Additionally, Voice Control’s dictation and text editing are improved by phonetic suggestions.