On Oct. 25 – Apple pushed the macOS 13 Ventura update to Mac computer users, bringing heavyweight features like front-of-stage scheduling and continuous interoperable cameras.
Apple officials say macOS Ventura introduces groundbreaking features that help users get more done and make the Mac experience better than ever. New features like Continuous Camera help users work seamlessly across Apple devices, while efficiency tools like Front Desk Scheduler help users focus on the task at hand and switch between tasks with ease. And popular apps like Mail and Messages are getting major updates.
The macOS Ventura is being released today as a free software update for Macs with Apple chips and Intel-based chips.
Apple devices work together with continuous interoperability
Mac users can now take advantage of the iPhone’s powerful camera system with the Continuous Interoperability Camera for an unprecedented webcam experience. macs can automatically recognize and use the camera on nearby iPhones, enabling new features previously unavailable with webcams, and iPhones can connect wirelessly to Macs for even more flexibility and accessibility. Desk View uses the iPhone’s ultra-wide angle camera to show both the user’s face and an overhead view of the desk surface, making it ideal for tasks such as creating craft videos or conducting hands-on demonstrations. Continuous Interoperability also brings a number of innovations to all Mac computers, including People Centering and Portrait modes, and new Studio Lighting, which dims the background and focuses light on the user’s face for optimal results.
The FaceTime Call App is also now available with Relay, which allows users to start a FaceTime call on one Apple device and then seamlessly switch to another nearby Apple device to continue the call. You can start a FaceTime call on your iPhone or iPad and switch it to your Mac when you get back to the office or home, or start a call on your Mac and switch it to your iPhone or iPad when you need to get out of the house.
▲ Continuous interoperability camera supports FaceTime calls, Zoom, Webex and other macOS video conferencing apps
Automatically organize your workspace with Front Desk Scheduler
The Front Desk Scheduler automatically organizes all open apps and windows, allowing users to focus on their work and see what’s going on at a glance. When Front Desk Scheduler is enabled in the Control Centre, the window you are using is prominently displayed in the center of the screen, while other open windows are displayed on the left-hand side of the screen, allowing you to switch between tasks quickly. Users can create groups of windows or apps based on specific tasks or projects to create the ideal workspace. The scheduler in front of the desk also works with other macOS windowing tools such as Scheduler and Space, allowing users to easily return to the desktop with a single tap.
▲ Front Desk Scheduler helps users stay focused and get more done
Safari browser adds passkeys and new collaboration tools
Safari goes password-free with Passkey – a new way to sign in and make the Safari experience even more secure. Passkeys are more secure and easier to use and are designed to replace passwords. When a user creates a passkey, a unique set of digital keys is generated, stored only on the device and never uploaded to a web server, so hackers can’t compromise them or trick users into sharing them. Passcodes give users a simple and secure way to sign in, using Touch ID or Face ID for biometric authentication and end-to-end encryption via the iCloud keychain to iPhone, iPad and Mac. Safari
Safari’s Shared Tabs group gives users a powerful new way to collaborate with others on the web. Users can easily share websites with family, friends and colleagues, and see which tabs others are viewing in real-time. Users can also create bookmark lists on shared start pages to help smoothly start collaborative projects, such as planning a family outing or completing a research report, and they can initiate a Messages App conversation or FaceTime call directly from within Safari, with all members of the group automatically joining.
▲ Pass-through keys are a new generation of credentials that are more secure and easier to use, making the Safari experience even more secure.
Mail App gets a new update to further improve efficiency
Users can use the Mail App to schedule emails, undo them before they reach their inbox, and add graphic links for better previews of content. The Mail App also detects when attachments or cc’s are missing and reminds senders to add them. Users can set a later reminder to work on a message later and receive automatic follow-up alerts when they don’t receive a reply to an email.
The Mail App’s search function uses advanced technology to present more accurate and complete results. Users can simply tap on the search box and find what they want without having to type text, including recent emails, contacts, documents, photos and more.
▲ Users can now schedule emails to be sent at the most appropriate time
The messages App gets a major update
Users can edit or retract recently sent messages, recover accidentally deleted messages and mark messages as unread when they don’t have time to reply so they can be dealt with later.
Easily share photos with the whole family via iCloud Shared Gallery
With iCloud Shared Library, users can now create and share a single photo library between up to six family members, so everyone can enjoy all their family photos. Users can easily share all the photos in their personal library or share specific photos by setting a start date or specifying a person, for example. Users will receive smart reminders to share photo moments that include gallery members along with other selected people. Each member can add, delete, edit, or favorite shared photos and videos, which appear in each member’s Memories and Featured Photos, ensuring that all members can relive more complete family memories.
iCloud Shared Gallery offers a new way for the whole family to share photos seamlessly
Focused Search makes efficiency even better
Focused Search has new features and a new design, providing a more consistent experience across Mac, iPhone and iPad devices. Users can now search for images in the Photo Gallery, Web and Messages and Notes apps within the system. Users can search for photos by location, people, scenes, or objects, as well as text in images via the live text feature. Focus Search now also offers a wide range of search results for artists, movies, TV shows, actors, companies and sports. Users can now also perform various actions directly from within Focus Search, such as starting a timer, creating a new document, etc., which further increases efficiency. Focus Search also supports Quick View, which allows users to quickly view a full-size preview of almost any type of file without having to open it.
▲ Richer search results, focus on the types of information users need, including musicians, movies, TV shows, sports, companies and more
Take your Mac gaming experience to the next level.
The power of Apple chips allows all new Mac models to run 3A games smoothly, and macOS Ventura brings new technologies like Metal 3 to take full advantage of Mac’s unmatched hardware performance, bringing users faster performance, more responsive controls and better graphics.
A number of new 3A games, including Resident Evil Village from Capcom, which will be released on the Mac App Store on October 28, will arrive on the Mac later this year, bringing the full performance of Apple’s chips to life with more responsive controls, high frame rates and beautiful visuals.
Metal 3 unlocks the full potential of the Apple chip with new features that take the gaming experience to new heights.
Other features
Live Text recognizes text in paused video frames and adds support for Japanese and Korean text. Users can now extract subjects from images and place them in apps such as Messages.
macOS Ventura brings new accessibility features, including a text checker with text proofing support for narrator users and more.
The Weather App and Clock App come to the Mac for the first time, offering all the features that users know and love from the iPhone version, such as viewing local weather forecasts, creating alarms, setting timers and more.
System Preferences is renamed System Settings and features a new design that makes navigation on the Mac more efficient and consistent with the iPhone and iPad experience.
macOS security has been enhanced again with new tools to make the Mac more resistant to attacks, including the ability to easily update the latest security measures between regular system updates and a fast security response without rebooting the system.
▲ Using device-side intelligence, live text now recognizes the text of all videos on the system
