- tech360.tv
WWDC 2023: MacOS Sonoma
Apple's new MacOS Sonoma brings back the beloved Dashboard feature, introduces Game Mode for enhanced gaming and brings improvements to Safari.
Apple has recently announced the upcoming release of macOS Sonoma, the highly anticipated successor to macOS Ventura. This latest update combines numerous features from iOS 17 while also introducing various enhancements specifically tailored for Mac users.
One notable addition in Sonoma is the revival of the popular Dashboard feature, which was removed in previous releases. The new iteration provides a redesigned widgets experience, allowing users to effortlessly drag widgets from the Notification Center onto their desktop. Furthermore, when using another application, these widgets discreetly fade into the background, ensuring an uninterrupted workflow. Additionally, iPhone widgets can now be seamlessly displayed on Mac devices, provided the iPhone is within close proximity or connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Apple also continues its endeavour to optimise gaming on macOS with the introduction of "Game Mode.", which grants games priority access to the CPU and GPU. While Game Mode won't enhance the hardware capabilities of the CPU or GPU, it aims to improve gaming performance by preventing other running applications from causing usage spikes.
Furthermore, Game Mode also enhances the Bluetooth sampling rate, reducing audio and input latency when using AirPods or wireless Xbox and PlayStation gamepads with Mac devices. It's worth noting that increased power consumption may accompany these improvements, necessitating further testing.
There is also a new video-calling feature known as the "presenter overlay." This functionality allows users to overlay themselves on top of content, such as slide decks or shared desktops, during video calls. While this feature is compatible with FaceTime calls and third-party apps like Zoom, its availability may be limited to Apple Silicon Macs due to the dedicated machine-learning processing hardware required to separate video foregrounds and backgrounds without straining the CPU or GPU.
Other than that, macOS Sonoma also brings significant enhancements to Safari. Users can now create multiple profiles, enabling personalised settings for different contexts, such as work and home. Moreover, passwords and passkeys stored in iCloud can be securely shared with others, leveraging end-to-end encryption.
For those heavily reliant on web apps, Safari now allows the addition of these apps to the dock, providing a seamless experience similar to iOS's home screen functionality.
Apple has yet to announce an official release date for macOS Sonoma, but historically, previous releases usually drop in October.
Apple introduces macOS Sonoma, merging iOS 17 features with Mac-specific enhancements.
Sonoma brings back the Dashboard feature, offering a redesigned widgets experience.
Game Mode prioritises CPU and GPU resources for improved gaming performance.
Safari gains multiple profiles, secure sharing of passwords, and advancements in typography.