Screen Savers

A new OS update is often heralded by a fresh set of screen savers, right?

While this update won't boost productivity, enhance communication, or improve online safety, it certainly looks fantastic.

The new screen savers in macOS Sonoma draw inspiration from those found on Apple TV. For those unfamiliar, Apple has commissioned stunning drone footage of various cities worldwide to serve as screen savers for its streaming device. They are visually striking and often become conversation starters.

macOS Sonoma introduces its own unique drone footage as screen savers, seemingly filmed specifically for the Mac. Unlike the Apple TV’s familiar backdrops, these new visuals appear behind the login screen and seamlessly transition to static wallpapers once logged in.

Nice touch!

Desktop Widgets

Craig Federighi's enthusiasm for widgets is evident as they continue to proliferate across Apple's devices.

I appreciate this approach and find the new widgets in macOS Sonoma particularly appealing.

Historically, widgets have struggled to gain traction on the Mac. Although promising, they’ve often been underutilized by third-party developers, leaving many users, myself included, to forget they exist.

To address this, macOS Sonoma introduces desktop widgets, allowing users to select from a widget gallery, drag them onto the desktop, and interact with them directly. This feels reminiscent of iPadOS 17, doesn’t it?

I prefer a tidy desktop, usually maintaining only a couple of folders. Therefore, the prospect of adding interactive widgets to utilize that empty space is quite enticing.

Interestingly, users will also be able to add iPhone widgets to their Macs without needing the corresponding app installed. I'm curious about how this will function and admit I'm a bit puzzled about its purpose, but it’s another testament to the power of Apple’s Continuity platform.

Video Conferencing

While my days of frequent Zoom and Teams calls are thankfully over, Apple recognizes that most work environments still require regular conference calls.

This understanding has led to a range of noteworthy updates for video conferencing in macOS Sonoma, not limited to FaceTime. Apple emphasized compatibility with platforms like WebEx, Teams, and Zoom.

A key highlight is the introduction of new presentation modes. Utilizing advanced machine learning for masking, users can now position themselves in front of shared windows or within movable bubbles. The performance of this feature in various lighting conditions commonly seen during home conference calls remains to be seen, but it’s a nice addition.

Apple has also integrated gesture-based ‘reactions’ that fill the screen with entertaining 3D augmented reality effects, such as hearts, confetti, and fireworks. While the demonstrations of users triggering fireworks with a thumbs-up might come off as cheesy, at least it adds some levity to dull quarterly updates.

Safari Updates

Each year, we can typically expect significant updates to Safari, and WWDC 2023 was no exception. While the usual claims of “faster and more relevant search” were made, it was the feature enhancements that caught my eye.

In macOS Sonoma, users can create Safari ‘profiles’ that segregate browsing history, cookies, favorites, and tab groups. This allows for distinct profiles for work and personal use, helping to maintain a boundary between the two. Although I may not personally find it useful, it’s a welcome addition for anyone struggling to disconnect from work, and I anticipate more innovative applications of this feature as it evolves.

Web applications are also receiving noteworthy attention this year. Users can now add them to the Dock as if they were regular apps. Upon launching, a simplified toolbar appears, allowing for greater focus on the web app controls. As someone who frequently uses web apps, I appreciate this refinement.

Additionally, password and passkey sharing will be facilitated via what I assume will be iCloud Keychain. This brings Apple’s password management system in line with competitors like 1Password, enabling secure sharing of specific passwords, which may further dissuade Mac users from seeking third-party solutions.

PDFs and Notes

Just like iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma is enhancing its PDF capabilities. While the changes may not be groundbreaking, they will simplify tasks for those not using third-party PDF software.

The new ‘Enhanced AutoFill’ feature allows users to securely populate PDFs with saved information from Contacts. This means filling out documents from solicitors will only take a couple of clicks.

Furthermore, users will be able to embed PDFs into Apple Notes, allowing for easy navigation through multi-page documents within notes—an invaluable feature for anyone using Apple Notes as their organizational hub.

Additionally, Apple is introducing interlinking capabilities for notes, a feature I’ve long wished for. The inability to reference one note within another has been a genuine source of frustration, so I’m glad to see this addressed.

Final Thoughts

Other updates include enhancements to Messages (an app I seldom use due to the UK’s preference for WhatsApp) and a new Game Mode that prioritizes GPU and CPU resources for gaming, while also reducing latency for wireless accessories like AirPods and third-party controllers.

As a casual gamer, I appreciate Apple’s ongoing adjustments to enhance gaming on the Mac, indicating their commitment to remaining relevant in that space. The appearance of renowned game designer Hideo Kojima at WWDC suggests that Apple’s ambitions in gaming may be more substantial than we realize.

What features are you most excited about in macOS Sonoma?

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Originally published at https://markellisreviews.com on June 9, 2023.