macOS Sonoma Review

Apple’s operating systems have always been at the forefront of innovation, seamlessly integrating hardware and software to deliver an unparalleled user experience. With the introduction of macOS Sonoma, Apple continues this legacy, offering a slew of new features and enhancements that promise to redefine the way we interact with our Macs. Named after the picturesque Sonoma region in Northern California, this latest version of macOS not only brings functional improvements but also emphasizes Apple’s commitment to user-centric design and privacy.

macOS Sonoma stands as a testament to Apple’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of desktop computing. Whether it’s the introduction of interactive widgets, enhanced video conferencing tools, or the myriad of other features, Sonoma promises to elevate the Mac experience to new heights.

Release Date

The unveiling of macOS Sonoma at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) was a significant event, marking the introduction of another chapter in the macOS saga. Following its announcement, macOS Sonoma went through rigorous developer and public beta testing. The finalized version of the operating system is expected to see its official launch in the fall, with indications pointing towards a release this September.

Compatibility

In terms of compatibility, Apple ensures that a wide array of its devices can enjoy the latest software features. The macOS Sonoma will be compatible with the following Mac models:

• MacBook Pro from 2018
• MacBook Air from 2018
• Mac Pro from 2019
• iMac from 2019
• Mac Studio from 2022
• iMac Pro from 2017
• Mac mini from 2018

It’s essential for users to note that while macOS Sonoma will be available as a free update, not all older Apple devices will support it. To determine compatibility, users can navigate to the Apple icon in the menu bar and select “About This Mac.”

Key Features and Enhancements

Widgets

With macOS Sonoma, the desktop experience is reimagined. Apple introduces interactive widgets that can be placed directly on the desktop, offering users quick access to information and functionalities without opening the associated apps. These widgets are designed to blend seamlessly into the wallpaper, ensuring a clutter-free and aesthetically pleasing desktop.

But the innovation doesn’t stop there. With the Continuity feature, users can now view and interact with iPhone widgets on their Mac. This means that if you have a weather widget on your iPhone, you can view the same on your Mac desktop, provided both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network or in close proximity. This integration enhances the ecosystem experience, making the transition between devices smoother and more cohesive.

Video Conferencing

The global shift towards remote work and online communication has made video conferencing tools more crucial than ever. Recognizing this, macOS Sonoma introduces a suite of features to enhance this experience. The new Presenter Overlay video effect is a game-changer. It allows the presenter to display their video feed alongside the content they’re sharing, reminiscent of a weather reporter showcasing a map. This ensures that the audience remains engaged with both the presenter and the content.

Screen sharing, a vital component of video conferencing, also sees significant improvements. With the new Screen Sharing picker, users can easily choose which app or window to share during a call. This is complemented by the Reactions feature, which uses hand gestures to trigger on-screen effects. For instance, forming a heart shape with your hands will display hearts on the screen, while a thumbs-down gesture might show rain. These reactions are designed to add a touch of fun and interactivity to calls, allowing participants to express themselves without interrupting the flow of the conversation.

Safari

Safari, Apple’s flagship browser, receives a significant overhaul in macOS Sonoma. One of the standout features is the enhanced Private Browsing mode, which offers users an even more secure browsing experience. Beyond just not saving browsing history, the new Safari introduces advanced tracking and fingerprinting protections, ensuring user data remains private and safeguarded.

Another notable addition is the introduction of profiles. This feature allows users to separate their browsing experiences into different categories, such as work and personal. Each profile maintains its own history, extensions, cookies, Tab Groups, and Favorites, making it easier to switch between different tasks without mixing data. Furthermore, Safari now supports the creation of web apps. This means users can transform their favorite websites into app-like experiences, which can be docked for easy access. These web apps behave like traditional macOS apps, offering notifications and even integration with tools like Stage Manager.

Mail & Messages

The Mail app in macOS Sonoma introduces a highly requested feature: one-time verification codes received in emails now autofill in Safari, streamlining the login or verification process for various online services. This integration reduces the need to switch between apps and manually copy codes.

The Messages app, on the other hand, sees a plethora of enhancements. A new stickers experience allows users to express themselves more vividly in chats. The search functionality within Messages has been improved, categorizing results into people, keywords, photos, and links, making it easier to find specific content. Additionally, group chats get a boost with options to quickly reply to specific messages and a Catch-Up feature that jumps to the first unread message in active group conversations.

Photos

The Photos app in macOS Sonoma is smarter than ever. The People album, which traditionally recognized and categorized photos based on human faces, can now identify pets, allowing users to easily find and view pictures of their furry friends. Another significant enhancement is the Visual Lookup feature’s extension to videos. This means users can get information about landmarks, plants, books, and other objects within videos, just as they could with photos.

Notes and Reminders

Both the Notes and Reminders apps receive meaningful updates in macOS Sonoma. Notes now support inline PDFs, allowing users to view PDF content directly within a note without opening a separate viewer. The app also introduces linked notes, enabling users to create connections between related notes for easier reference.

The Reminders app, meanwhile, introduces a new way to organize tasks. Users can now categorize their groceries, for instance, making shopping lists more structured. A new column view provides a clearer overview of tasks, and integration with other apps, like Mail, ensures that reminders can be created from various sources seamlessly.

Game Mode

Gaming on a Mac has historically been a topic of debate, but with macOS Sonoma, Apple aims to elevate the gaming experience on its platform. The introduction of Game Mode, especially optimized for Macs with Apple silicon chips, is a testament to this commitment. When activated, Game Mode ensures that the Mac prioritizes the CPU and GPU for the game, delivering smoother gameplay with consistent frame rates. This optimization extends to audio as well, reducing latency when using AirPods. Additionally, input latency with supported PlayStation and Xbox controllers is minimized, ensuring that gamers get a responsive and immersive experience. This feature underscores Apple’s recognition of the growing gaming community among its user base and its efforts to cater to their needs.

Screen Savers

macOS Sonoma brings a visual treat to users with its new screen savers. Drawing inspiration from the Apple TV’s dynamic screen savers, macOS Sonoma introduces slow-motion videos of locations from around the world. Users can now enjoy breathtaking views of places like Arizona, California, and Hong Kong right from their desktop. These screen savers are not just visually appealing but also offer a sense of global exploration, especially at a time when travel might be limited for many. Additionally, a subtle yet impactful change is the relocation of the login prompt to the bottom of the screen, ensuring that it doesn’t obstruct the beautiful imagery.

Siri

Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, has been an integral part of the macOS experience for years. With macOS Sonoma, Siri becomes even more user-friendly. One of the standout features is the ability to activate Siri without the traditional “Hey Siri” command. This change streamlines interactions, making it quicker and more natural to seek Siri’s assistance. Whether it’s setting reminders, searching for information, or controlling smart home devices, Siri’s enhanced capabilities in macOS Sonoma promise to make voice interactions more intuitive and efficient.

Web Apps

In an era where the line between native applications and web platforms is blurring, macOS Sonoma’s Web Apps feature is a timely addition. This functionality allows users to transform their frequently visited websites into standalone app-like experiences on their Mac. Instead of navigating through browser tabs, users can pin these web apps to the dock, allowing for quick access. When launched, they open in dedicated windows, devoid of the typical browser chrome, ensuring an immersive experience. This is particularly beneficial for tools and platforms that users engage with on a daily basis. Whether it’s a cloud-based office suite, a CRM tool, or a favorite blog, the Web Apps feature ensures that these sites are always just a click away, offering a seamless and integrated user experience.

Enhanced Video Effects

With the increasing reliance on virtual meetings and video calls, macOS Sonoma brings a suite of enhanced video effects to the table. These effects, optimized for Macs equipped with Apple’s in-house processors, add a layer of polish and creativity to video interactions. Users can now employ background blurs to keep the focus on themselves, or use dynamic overlays to add a touch of flair to their presentations. For educators conducting online classes or professionals in virtual meetings, these effects can be particularly useful, allowing them to present content in a more engaging manner. The addition of these video effects underscores Apple’s commitment to enhancing the virtual communication experience, making it more interactive and visually appealing.

More Privacy in Safari

Privacy and data protection have always been at the forefront of Apple’s design philosophy, and macOS Sonoma takes this a step further, especially within Safari. The browser now boasts even more robust privacy features, ensuring that users can browse the web with peace of mind. Enhanced tracking prevention mechanisms are in place to ensure that websites and advertisers cannot track user activity across different sites. But it’s not just about blocking trackers; transparency is key.

Safari provides users with detailed privacy reports, shedding light on which trackers have been blocked during their browsing sessions. This empowers users with the knowledge of who’s trying to access their data, reinforcing the sense of control and security. Additionally, the browser’s improved fingerprinting protections ensure that users remain anonymous, preventing websites from uniquely identifying and tracking them based on their device characteristics.

More with Messages

The Messages app has always been a cornerstone of Apple’s ecosystem, providing seamless communication across devices. With macOS Sonoma, the app receives a plethora of enhancements that make messaging more intuitive and engaging. One of the standout features is the ability to send inline replies in group chats. This ensures that even in active group conversations, users can directly respond to specific messages, keeping the discussion organized and coherent.

Another significant addition is the Message Effects, which were previously exclusive to iOS. Now, users can send messages with effects like “slam” or “invisible ink,” adding a layer of expressiveness to their chats. The pinning feature is also a welcome addition, allowing users to pin crucial conversations to the top of their message list. This ensures that important chats are always within easy reach, regardless of the influx of new messages. The app also introduces a more refined search functionality, categorizing results into links, photos, and terms, making it easier to find specific content within conversations.

Accessibility

Apple’s commitment to creating inclusive products is evident in macOS Sonoma’s enhanced accessibility features. The operating system introduces a range of functionalities designed to cater to users with varying needs, ensuring that everyone can have a seamless Mac experience.

For users with vision impairments, macOS Sonoma offers features like VoiceOver, which provides spoken descriptions of what’s happening on the screen. The operating system also introduces improved magnification and contrast options, ensuring that content is always visible and legible.

For non-speaking users, the new and improved dictation capabilities are a game-changer. With more accurate voice recognition, users can communicate more effectively, with the system transcribing their spoken words into text in real-time.

Users with cognitive disabilities also benefit from macOS Sonoma’s accessibility features. The operating system introduces customizable notifications, ensuring that users receive information in a manner that’s most comprehensible to them. There’s also the addition of guided access, which allows users to focus on a single app by temporarily restricting access to others, ensuring a distraction-free environment.

Beta Testing and Installation

Overview of the Beta Testing Period: Before any major macOS release, Apple follows a tradition of releasing beta versions to gather feedback and iron out any potential issues. The beta testing period for macOS Sonoma was no exception. After its announcement at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple rolled out a series of beta versions, starting with the developer beta, followed by the public beta. This phased approach allowed developers to test their applications for compatibility and provided the general public an opportunity to experience the new features firsthand. Throughout this period, Apple collected feedback, addressing bugs and refining features based on user input. This iterative process ensured that by the time macOS Sonoma was ready for its official release, it was stable, efficient, and user-friendly.

Installing the Public Beta: For those eager to get a taste of macOS Sonoma before its official release, installing the public beta is an option. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Backup Your Data: Before installing any beta software, it’s crucial to back up your data. Using Time Machine or your preferred backup solution, ensure that all your important files are safe. This precaution ensures that in the unlikely event of an installation hiccup, your data remains intact.
2. Enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program: Head over to the Apple Beta Software Program website and sign in with your Apple ID. If you’re not already a member, you’ll need to sign up.
3. Download the macOS Public Beta Access Utility: Once enrolled, navigate to the macOS section of the website and download the macOS Public Beta Access Utility. This tool will allow your Mac to access the beta version on the App Store.
4. Install the Beta: Open the macOS Public Beta Access Utility and follow the on-screen instructions. This will guide you through the installation process. Once completed, your Mac will be running the macOS Sonoma public beta.
5. Provide Feedback: As part of the beta testing community, your feedback is invaluable. Use the built-in Feedback Assistant app to report any bugs or issues you encounter.

Precautions to Take

• Avoid Primary Devices: If possible, install the beta on a secondary Mac. Beta versions, while mostly stable, can have unforeseen issues. It’s best to avoid installing them on your primary work or personal device.
• Stay Updated: Apple frequently releases updates to the beta version. Ensure you keep your system updated to benefit from the latest fixes and improvements.
• Be Patient: Remember, beta versions are test releases. You might encounter occasional glitches or bugs. Report them and wait for updates.

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