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Apple's macOS 14 Sonoma has debuted at WWDC, boasting widgets, new screensavers, improvements to messages, Game Mode, and more.
As unveiled at WWDC 2023, the updated new macOS 14 Sonoma resembles how the company followed OS X Leopard with OS X Snow Leopard in 2009. While it's not without new elements, it appears to be chiefly concerned with improving performance — and matching iOS 17.
"MacOS is the heart of a Mac," said Apple's Craig Federighi, "and with Apple silicon, the Mac lineup has never been stronger. For our next release, we focused on helping you get even more done."
"Mac OS Sonoma brings a rich set of features that elevate the experience of MacOS, starting with stunning new screensavers that show beautiful slow motion videos of places around the world," he continued, "like the sweeping skyline of Hong Kong, the sandstone buttes of Monument Valley, and the rolling hills of Sonoma and when you log in, this imagery settles beautifully into your desktop."
Federighi demonstrated updated widgets on macOS Sonoma, explaining that they can be seen on the desktop.
"To make sure widgets are not distracting while you're working with apps., we also came up with a way to make them glanceable without feeling intrusive," he continued. "If I open up mail, my widgets instantly fade into the background so I can focus on the task at hand. If I switch my wallpaper, you'll see the widgets are intelligently tinted based on the colour behind them."
Video conferencing update
"We have great new ways help you present remotely, with a new video feature called Presenter Overlay," said Federighi, explaining that the new macOS can automatically overlay the presenter on the slides they're showing.
"We separate you from the background and layer your screen in between so you can walk the talk and move in front of your content," he continued. "Thanks to the neural engine and Apple silicon you get amazing quality."
There are also new video effects in FaceTime, Zoom, Teams, WebEx, and other conference apps. "You can add a reaction that seamlessly blends your video with balloons, confetti, hearts and more," says Federighi.
When to expect macOS Sonoma
A developer beta is being rolled out now and a public beta is expected in a few weeks' time. Thereafter, Apple will work through several cycles of beta testing before the new macOS gets a public release.
That public release of the new macOS Sonoma will most probably be in October, although previous versions have been late September or even mid-November.
This is the 20th OS release since the last of the classic Mac OS 9 in 1999. It's also the 11th since Apple switched from naming its OSes after cats and on to places in California.
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