Apple has released the public beta version of its upcoming operating system, macOS 14 Sonoma. With a wide range of new features such as desktop Widgets, video conferencing improvements, Safari Profiles, and enhanced autocorrect in Messages, the full version is expected to drop later in the year.
One of the significant updates in Sonoma is the ability to drag and drop Widgets onto the desktop, similar to an earlier feature in iOS. The Widgets can be pulled from an associated iPhone and will sit beneath open windows on the desktop, becoming translucent when an app is open.
Sonoma also brings advancements to video conferencing. Apple has added reactions, features like hearts, confetti, and fireworks that can be activated with a mouse click or hand gesture. These enhancements are compatible with various teleconferencing apps, including Zoom, and not restricted to FaceTime alone. A new "share on" feature is also available, which allows direct sharing to a teleconferencing app.
The Safari browser gets an upgrade with the addition of Profiles, enabling users to separate bookmarks, tab groups, history, and cookies into places like "Home," "Work," and "School." The browser now also lets users save "web apps" to the Dock for easy access.
The final release of macOS 14 Sonoma is expected to arrive later this year, with speculations pointing towards a September or October timeline.
