macOS Sonoma is Apple’s next version of its popular Mac software, unveiled at WWDC 2023 and coming out later this year.
The new software for 2023 includes a swathe of updates such as new desktop widgets, big updates to FaceTime and video conferencing, Safari improvements, an exciting new Game Mode, and much more.
macOS Sonoma: New Features
macOS Sonoma: Interactive widgets
So we’ve been waiting a long time for widgets to become more useful on Mac – and now it looks like they finally will be. First and foremost, Apple has moved them from the notifications center to the desktop, allowing for more ‘glanceability.’ Those widgets are the same widgets that we’ve had for some time, although now they’re perhaps a tad more useful.
When stuck on the desktop those widgets will blend into the background to make them less distracting, fading slightly and matching the background of your Mac. They sit behind windows, and are more interactive than ever before.
Continuity now supports widgets on Mac over your iPhone – that means that if you’ve got a super helpful widget on your iPhone, it can be used on Mac. Your iPhone will need to be connected to your Mac in some way, be that through the same WiFi connection, or even just by being close by.
All of the widgets for Mac will be interactive, letting you check reminders, access your Apple Home devices, play and pause media, and, as Apple puts it, “perform various tasks from their Mac, all directly from the desktop.”
macOS Sonoma: New video conferencing features
Alongside widgets, there are some very cool additional features coming to video conferencing on your Mac. Powered by Apple Silicons Neural Engine, there are some very attractive ways to present content. Presenter overlay introduces new methods of appearing alongside keynotes and video presentations, with two distinct modes of use.
The first is a small overlay, which overlays you in a small bubble over your content. The second puts your content on a kind of screen that sits behind you in your room as if you were stood in front of a presentation screen. These look absolutely stunning and will add some spice to your business presentations – or even the family quiz.
There are also new gestures added to video conferencing that will give some cool in-video reactions – give a thumbs up for example, and fireworks will explode behind you.
Screen sharing has also been improved – there is now a small green button in the top-left corner of apps that will let users share it in a call, allowing for “easy content sharing from their currently open windows.”
macOS Sonoma: Safari
There were some very useful updates to Safari that WWDC revealed as well. Private Browsing has received a look, with “even greater protection during browsing both from trackers and from people who might have access to the user’s device.” Those windows also now lock when a user isn’t using them, so you can leave them open even when you leave your Mac.
Profiles are also new, and allow you to separate your world and personal time simply and easily. It separates out two sets of browsing history and cookies, so that you can relax when you want and work when you need.
Finally on the Safari front was Web Apps – something that companies needn’t make for themselves. Add a web app from Safari, and it will run the page like an app in a separate window.
macOS Sonoma: Game Mode
Apple seem to be focussing a little more on gaming on a Mac now, with the introduction of the new Game Mode. This mode will restrict system access of other apps on the CPU and GPU, so that games will run better. It will also lower audio latency with AirPods, and reduct input latency from Playstation and Xbox controllers so that you can play without worry that your inputs are going to get lost in a dodgy Bluetooth connection.
macOS Sonoma: New screen savers and wallpapers
macOS Sonoma’s new screensavers will blend seamlessly with the new desktop backgrounds, with some very attractive animations that settle when you unlock your Mac.
There are locations from the eponymous Sonoma, as well as a Hong Kong Skyline, Monument Valley, and more.
Everything else
There are some smaller updates of interest as well; there is a new high performance mode in the Screen Sharing app for pros. There are also enhanced Accessibility features, such as Live Speech that will vocalise typed content, and Voice control that will control a Mac without the need for a mouse or keyboard.
There are also some other small updates:
– Streamlined PDFs will allow for quick filling PDFs with autofill and smart recipient recommendations.
– PDFs will come to the Notes app, allowing you to take notes on them and collaborate with others
– “Hey Siri” is no more, now you simply have to say “Siri.”
– Passwords can be safely created and shared with a group of trusted people.
– Messages has received new stickers and sticker interactions.
– Reminders has been made smarter with intelligent grocery lists to streamline weekly shopping trips
– Keyboard is now smarter as well, with the all new auto-correct.
macOS Sonoma: Release Date
Apple sticks to its regular schedule, macOS 14 will likely be released in October or November. In 2022, for example, macOS Ventura was released on October 24. A year earlier, macOS Monterey arrived on October 25. In 2020, macOS Big Sur didn’t launch until November 12. The last time a macOS version launched in September was in 2018 when macOS Mojave was released on September 24. There was no official release date in the show, beyond ‘this fall.’
Beta testers will be the first to get their hands on the macOS beta release, soon after this morning’s WWDC show. You’ll need a developer account to get to use it, however.
macOS Sonoma: Support Device and Requirements
Whenever new versions of macOS are released, some older Macs are left behind in terms of compatibility. Typically (but not officially), Macs tend to support the latest version of macOS for at least seven years from when the model was first released, including the best Macs on the market, like the five-star-rated MacBook Air (2022).
Here are all the Macs supported by Sonoma. Apple silicon isn’t a requirement, but many of macOS Sonoma’s best features take advantage of the increased processing power. Otherwise, there are no minimum spec requirements.
- MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
- MacBook Air: 2018 and later
- Mac mini: 2018 and later
- iMac: 2019 and later
- iMac Pro: 2017
- Mac Studio: 2022 and later
- Mac Pro: 2019 and later