The new edition of the Mac operating system , macOS Sonoma , will be uncommitted to download on Tuesday , September 26 . It has some coolheaded raw features , but should you install it as soon as it arrives ? Here ’s an overview of how macOS Sonoma compare tomacOS Ventura , which it replaces . come up out how the two compare in our whistle - stop tour of the current and next interlingual rendition of macOS .
What’s the difference between Ventura and Sonoma?
The core functionality of each macOS version remains the same , but as with every new iteration , there are features that have n’t appeared before , plus the proceed improvements to integrations with other Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad . The main additions are the ones you probably want to bonk about , so we cover those below .
Widgets
One of the most instantly placeable affair that will appear on the desktops of users running macOS Sonoma will no doubt bewidgets . These interactive miniskirt - apps are n’t new , but they used to live in the Notification Center . In Sonoma you ’ll be capable to drag them onto your desktop for instant , easy access . you may also add widgets for iPhone apps , thanks to persistence , with the clever characteristic that anything you do on the Mac version instantly syncs with the iPhone version . See : How Apple ’s approaching gizmo revolution will change our screen foreverandLearn how to add widgets to the macOS Sonoma Desktop .
If you are disturbed that the Widgets will take all your attention , and be teasing ( like Notifications are ) then you may be pleased to see that they will fade out so as not to be distracting .
Foundry
Screensavers
With Apple place an emphasis on customization in macOS Sonoma , as with the thingmabob , it also brings novel screensavers to the tabular array . These are high - definition images that act as videos , with the television camera sweeping across majestic landscapes , then slowing to a stop when you interact with the Mac , turning them into stationary paradigm . It prompt us of the screensavers on the Apple goggle box . It ’s a lowly thing , but does look lovely . Read : These gorgeous wallpapers are the good reason to elevate to macOS Sonoma .
Upgraded video conferencing tools
macOS Ventura add some interesting sweetening to picture outcry , include Center Stage ( which uses advanced cropping techniques to ensure you ’re always in the middle of the screen ) and Continuity Camera ( use your iPhone rather of your Mac ’s built - in webcam ) . This latter feature will gain unexampled goat god and zoom control in Sonoma .
macOS Sonoma bring some new ways to liven up conference calls , not just FaceTime getting the TV conferencing - related updates . Zoom , Teams , Webex and other users will also profit .
rapid climb meetings were a necessary evilness during Covid , but many of us sense some weariness when it comes to ride in video conferences these 24-hour interval . Apple is attempting to combat this though with some raw tools in macOS Sonoma that can bring a bit of glitter to introduction and cosmopolitan get - togethers .
Apple
There ’s a Presenter Overlay option that direct the bestower in the foreground but inserts any shared screens in between them and the background . front professional and should enliven up the quarterly financial reports – although we ca n’t help but notice that the presenter is obscuring the microscope slide in Apple ’s example above . Alternatively , you could drift over the screen in a movable bubble .
If the other participant in the call are impressed with the presentation then they can reply with animations , such as party balloons or confetti . These can even be triggered by hand gestures , which should at least keep some masses awake .
ultimately , macOS Sonoma allows people on the call to easy share content from apps on the call .
Game Mode
One area where Macs have traditionally imprison behind their Windows - powered counterparts is back . Apple seems to desire to close this crack by introducing a fresh Game Mode in macOS Sonoma that optimizes the carrying out of Apple Silicon - power Macs so thatgamesget the advantageously potential performance and experience .
This stretch out to peripherals too , with AirPods , Xbox and PlayStation controllers all getting humble - latency response times due to a doubled sample rate on their Bluetooth connectedness to prevent any break of the concentration . register more : Apple ’s Game Porting Toolkit is the first real step to doctor Mac gamingand rule outHow to expend Game Mode to supercharge performance .
Messages
The new Messages features are just like those in Io 17 . For example , you ’ll be able to search the Messages app more effectively , tally more entropy to the search to perfect in on what you are looking for . You ’ll be capable to jump to the first unread message in a group conversation , and the way to portion out your location is also switch .
Another new feature film in Messages is the Sensitive Content Warning which will earmark you to blear raw photos and videos . This wo n’t be limited to Messages , you should be capable to profit from the same feature in third - political party apps like Whatsapp .
Notes and PDFs
line will also get fresh features akin to those amount to iOS 17 . For good example , you ’ll also be able-bodied to use note to lay in PDF . You will also be able to connect related annotation .
You will also be able-bodied to move a Note to Pages to take reward of the redaction feature of that app .
AutoFill , fare afterwards in 2023 , will make it easy to satiate out PDFs .
Keyboard
Autocorrect is meliorate so when typecast you will see suggestions for the next word – you’ll just be able-bodied to press the Space bar to make out a condemnation . It ’ll also be easier to revert from faulty autocorrections .
Safari
Apple ’s web internet browser already got some serious attention when macOS Ventura set up , with the update introducing Shared Tab Groups and several privacy - focused tools such as Passkeys .
Safari 17 , which will be available for macOS Sonoma as well as Ventura and Monterey , will fetch a figure of new features , which we discuss here : Safari 17 : All the new features come to your Mac .
The update to Safari will bring supererogatory layer of security in Private Browsing manner , admit block tracking and profiling that webpages may attempt , as well as mechanically put away secret tabs when you ’re away from your Mac .
A new ability to create profile will tolerate you to separate out your work and personal profiles , so you may tie your story , cookies , favorites , tab groups and other relevant information into consecrate profiles . So you could have a profile for work , entertainment , vacation provision or whatever you ’d find useful .
These features alone are n’t reason to update to Sonoma , or course , as they are available in Monterey and Ventura too . However , there is a newfangled Safari - tie in feature that will be Sonoma only …
Web Apps
You will be able to turn websites into web apps that can sit in your Dock . These will run as simplified windows that take you directly to your favorite websites without open up a web web browser windowpane . It ’s a bit like the way it ’s been potential to salve a webpage to the dwelling screen on the iPhone forever .
With the website you want to turn into a web app open you pick out File > Add to Dock . This will create a virtual rendering of the internet site you want that will be accessible outside of Safari .
You will be able to chance the unexampled Web App in the Dock , in Launchpad , or you could search for it in Spotlight .
We discussHow to make and use web appsseparately .
Accessibility
Apple has always been a leading light when it comes to accessibility in merchandise , and this is assume to newfangled horizontal surface in macOS Sonoma . Live Text allows non - verbal people to have their Macs talk the words they typecast so they can participate on call option , Made for iPhone hearing devices can now also be used on Macs , plus representative controls have been meliorate to assist those who have difficulty with mobility . There ’s wad of other tweaks to go along with these and construct on what was already in macOS Ventura . Read : How to employ Live Text and Visual count Up in macOS .
A young Personal Voice feature article will reserve you to train your Mac to sing with your voice and then use that to exchange textbook to speech . We explicate how to use it here : macOS Sonoma : How to train your Mac to babble out in your voice .
Security
You will also be able to go under up a group with which you will share passwords , which may go some manner to solve the lamentable emergence when someone dies and nobody knows their passwords .
Lockdown Mode will be blow up to protect you in case of a cyber onset , allowing you to bend off all your Apple gimmick .
Should I upgrade to macOS Sonoma?
So long as yourMac will be compatible with macOS Sonoma , there ’s really no reason to stay on macOS Ventura . The customization options can make your Mac palpate more like your own , while the further integration with iPhone , not to mention the boost to telecasting vocation , make it a simple decision .
Here’show to update once Sonoma arrives .
