macOS Sonoma brings new screen saver and desktop experience, updates to Safari, Messages, Notes, Reminders. Discussion on Sonoma project, transition to Apple Silicon, creating clones of Mac drives, troubleshooting Time Machine error, introduction to One Password for business. Exploration of desktop widgets, improvements in Messages app, CleanMyMac X features, text-related features, Safari profiles, website app creation. Confusion around macOS stage manager, exploration of Sonoma feature behavior, overall improvements in macOS Sonoma, software updates and speculation on success.
Sonoma introduces new features for faster typing, improved video conferencing, and higher quality screen sharing.
Safari gains profiles for separate browsing instances and the ability to save websites as apps for quick access.
Apple's software updates focused on quality and user experience, attributed to improved engineering, project management, and architectural changes.
Deep dives
Improved Text Features
Sonoma introduces inline predictive text for faster typing, an inline emoji picker, all caps indicator, and a revamped dictation engine with mixed dictation and typing.
Enhanced Communication Features
Messages receive improvements like inline predictive text and sticker suggestions. The system-level video conferencing framework offers camera and microphone enhancements, presenter overlay, and reactions. Screen sharing now supports streaming higher quality images.
Productivity Boosts in Safari
Safari gains profiles, allowing users to have separate instances of the browser for personal and work use. Additionally, the ability to save websites as apps is introduced, enabling customized icons and names for quick access.
Improved AirPod switching and Gaming Mode
Apple introduced faster AirPod switching, allowing for smoother transitions between devices. Additionally, they implemented a gaming mode that prioritizes CPU and GPU resources for a better gaming experience on the Mac.
Enhanced Photos
In this update, Apple introduced the ability to create face albums for pets, allowing users to easily organize and manage photos of their furry friends. They also expanded the Visual Lookup feature to include food and meal detection, making it easier to search for specific types of photos in the library.
Smooth Software Updates and Apple's Focus on Quality
Apple had a notably smooth year for software updates, with a focus on quality and user experience. The updates were well-received overall, without major issues or showstoppers. This could be attributed to various factors, such as improved engineering, better project management, and the culmination of previous architectural changes and alignment across Apple's platforms.
macOS Sonoma brings with it Desktop widgets, a new screen saver and desktop experience, more powerful video conferencing tools and updates to Safari, Messages, Notes, Reminders and more.