The Top macOS Monterey Features You Should Explore Right Now
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macOS Monterey is now available to the public, albeit with a few significant absences.
While I’ll discuss those shortly, I’d like to share my initial thoughts on Apple’s newest operating system for the Mac. I chose not to participate in the beta phase, mainly due to time constraints and a desire to experience Monterey after the usual adjustments and fixes that follow beta testing.
Let’s dive into my observations.
Observations
As always, the update process was straightforward. I successfully upgraded both my M1 MacBook Air and 24-inch iMac without any hitches, though your experience may differ.
After installing Monterey, you might find yourself double-checking whether the update was successful (I certainly did). This isn’t a major overhaul like Big Sur; the visual changes are minimal. The most noticeable difference is a slight rounding of the notification design.
A quick mention of the new wallpaper: I really like it. While I wish for a broader selection of wallpaper options, Apple’s fresh, minimalist pastel design resonates with me.
Now, let’s explore the key features of macOS Monterey.
Apple Missed the Mark
Was it all Jony Ive’s doing?
Apple dedicated significant time to enhancing FaceTime in Monterey during WWDC, and given our reliance on digital communication, this focus makes sense. The introduction of the ‘Create Link’ button in FaceTime is a welcome addition, allowing calls to be shared with anyone, regardless of their device.
That said, I don’t use FaceTime much; my work often requires Zoom and Teams, relegating FaceTime to quick family chats. I suspect many others are in the same boat.
Consequently, I haven’t explored the new FaceTime features and likely won’t unless I accidentally stumble upon them during a family call.
One intriguing feature, SharePlay, which enables sharing Apple Music and Apple TV content during FaceTime calls, seems to be missing. Where is it, Tim?
Safari
Apple’s browser faced a tumultuous development phase during its beta, with user feedback primarily focused on the new tab bar, which appeared poorly conceived.
Fortunately, Apple has settled on a design that balances functionality and aesthetics. You can still revert to the traditional tab view if you prefer.
Personally, I find the compact tab bar appealing. It maximizes screen space when multiple tabs are open and changes the interface's color based on the site being viewed.
Safari also introduces ‘Tab Groups,’ allowing you to create and name collections of tabs for easy access. However, a downside is that Tab Groups remember their last state. If you modify a set of tabs, it will reflect those changes the next time you revisit the group, which could make them cumbersome to use.
I need to spend more time with Tab Groups, but my initial impression isn’t overly optimistic.
Focus Modes
This is my favorite new feature across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.
Focus Modes let you customize how your Mac, iPhone, and iPad handle notifications. For example, you can silence notifications entirely during intense work periods or allow specific apps and contacts through.
Since iOS 15, I've relied on Focus Modes, which greatly enhance my productivity while writing, filming, or in meetings. I even created a focus mode for workouts that activates automatically when I enter the gym.
In Monterey, Focus Modes are a bit more straightforward than on iOS due to the lack of multiple Home Pages, but they remain just as effective. They also sync across devices, so activating a Focus Mode on your iPhone will trigger it on your Mac.
There are also some cool automation features, allowing you to switch Focus Modes based on time, location, or the app in use. Highly recommended for anyone looking to optimize their day.
Notes
In addition to tags (which I find handy but may not use) and activity logs (as I rarely collaborate on Notes), the standout feature is Quick Notes.
Quick Notes are easily accessible notes that can be created on the fly using a simple shortcut and attached to specific apps and websites.
On the iPad, you access Quick Notes by swiping up from the bottom-right corner. This functionality is replicated in Monterey, where Quick Notes can also be set as a Hot Corner.
However, the implementation on macOS feels a bit clunky. I anticipated creating a new Quick Note by swiping from the trackpad’s bottom corner, but that doesn’t work. Instead, you must move the cursor to the bottom-right of the screen to access the Hot Corner.
Quick Notes also open the full Notes interface behind them, unlike on iOS. This often forces me to minimize the Notes app to keep the Quick Note visible alongside the content I’m referencing.
Quick Notes attach to compatible apps, currently limited to Safari and Messages, though third-party developers are beginning to adopt this feature. The intent is clear: for instance, if you highlight text in Safari and create a Quick Note, it will reappear when you revisit the page. While it functions as intended, the Quick Note can be easily overlooked in the bottom-right corner.
Additionally, when you create a Quick Note, it goes into the Quick Notes folder within the Notes app, requiring regular organization to avoid losing track of them. It would be more convenient to select a specific folder for them.
I’m not entirely convinced by Quick Notes; while they have merits on the iPad, they feel somewhat tacked on in Monterey.
Messages
As mentioned in a recent video, I primarily use WhatsApp for messaging in the UK, limiting my use of Messages to a single chat thread with two friends.
Thus, I rarely get to experience the minor updates Apple introduces each year.
This time, there’s the ‘Shared with You’ feature, which collects all content sent via Messages into one convenient location across various apps like Photos, Safari, Apple News, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV.
Unfortunately, since my friends only send me text messages, this feature doesn’t apply to me.
Final Thoughts
Here are three additional updates worth mentioning:
- Universal Control: Where is it, Tim?
- Live Text: This feature is more impressive than I initially thought. If you find an image with text, right-clicking will allow you to copy the text for pasting elsewhere. It works seamlessly.
- Shortcuts: I’ve never been a Shortcuts user, but Monterey might change that. I’ll share more thoughts once I’ve explored this feature, but its presence on macOS is significant, and the possibilities are extensive.
I haven’t covered everything Monterey offers, and I’m curious about what I might have missed. Share your favorite features in the comments!
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Originally published at https://markellisreviews.com on October 26, 2021.