Today, Apple announced that it will officially release macOS Sonoma on September 26, and users can open the “Settings” -> “General” -> “Software Update” path to update. Users can open the “Settings” -> “General” -> “Software Update” path to update, and the new version focuses on new features such as spatial function enhancements, adaptive audio testing for AirPods, personalized volume and conversation awareness, and more.
macOS Sonoma 14 Beta New Features / New Functions
macOS Sonoma primarily improves algorithms for spatial, BNNS, vImage, and other properties of accelerometers to provide a better interactive experience. The new version also introduces a number of improvements to AirPods, inviting more developers to install the beta firmware and test new features such as Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume and Conversation Awareness, etc.
Features are as follows:
Adaptive Audio:
This new listening mode dynamically blends the pass-through and active noise reduction modes according to the user’s environment to bring the most appropriate listening experience for the moment.
When the user travels through different environments and switches between various interactions throughout the day, the adaptive audio mode will seamlessly adjust the noise reduction experience.
Personalized Volume:
To continuously enhance the personal audio experience, Personalized Volume uses machine learning to understand the user’s environmental conditions and listening preferences, automatically fine-tuning the multimedia experience over time.
Conversation Awareness:
Conversation Awareness brings an unparalleled new level of communication to users wearing AirPods Pro (2nd generation) – users can open a conversation directly with the person next to them while wearing the headphones, while Conversation Awareness lowers the volume of the headphones and enhances the sound coming from in front of the user, while reducing ambient noise.
Widgets
Widgets fade into the background when a user opens a window. In addition, a Mac and iPhone can access widgets from the iPhone if they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Widgets are also interactive, and Apple’s official demo shows how to control a connected vehicle from a desktop widget.
Game Mode
Apple has also introduced a new Game Mode for Mac devices, which Apple says works with all games on Mac platforms, reduces audio lag on AirPods, and doubles the Bluetooth sample rate when connected to an Xbox or PlayStation controller.
Apple also invited Hideo Kojima during its WWDC opening presentation, confirming that Death Stranding Guided Cut will be coming to macOS.
Improved video conferencing
Apple has further improved video conferencing with the ability to use AR effects in meetings. The webcam recognizes certain gestures made by the user to trigger certain effects, such as a thumbs-up that triggers a fireworks explosion.
Safari Browser
Privacy Enhancements
The new Safari browser includes new privacy features such as locking the browser window, blocking trackers, and removing URL trackers.
In addition, the new Safari browser supports sharing passwords and keys with friends or groups of friends via iCloud Keychain, which Apple promises uses end-to-end encryption so that Apple doesn’t know the password information.
Create Multiple Accounts
Users are allowed to create accounts in the new Safari browser to distinguish between work and personal accounts. This feature will help prevent data and trackers from mixing with each other and help you browse more organized.
Focus on Web Apps
Apple is putting a new emphasis on WebApps with the introduction of “Add to Dock,” a feature that allows users to quickly pin a Web app to the Dock.
Optimizing the underlying code
Apple has also upgraded the WebKit rendering engine, including adding vibration support for gamepads, support for external webcams in Safari for iPad, and support for the AVIF image format in Safari on macOS Big Sur and later.
Apple claims that Safari is “the best way to browse the web” and “the fastest browser in the world. It’s worth noting that iOS and iPadOS third-party browsers still require WebKit to run in the background.
macOS Sonoma testing schedule:
- June 5: Apple releases macOS 14 Developer Preview
- July: Apple releases the first public beta of macOS 14
- June through September/October: During the testing period, Apple will roll out multiple beta updates
- September/October: Official release of macOS 14
- Compatible with macOS Sonoma models
Apple has dropped support for some 2017 Mac models,
The list below:
- 2019 and subsequent iMac models
- 2019 and later Mac Pro models
- 2017 and later iMac Pro models
- Mac Studio in 2022 and later
- MacBook Air units in 2018 and beyond
- Mac mini units in 2018 and later
- MacBook Pro models in 2018 and beyond
