macOS Sequoia – Apple’s most advanced macOS yet
On Monday, Apple launched macOS 15.0, otherwise known as macOS Sequoia, which introduces a range of features designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and user experience on the Mac. Aside from the Apple Intelligence features that are coming at a later date via software update, one of the standout additions is iPhone Mirroring, which allows users to access and control their iPhone directly from their Mac. This feature enables browsing the iPhone’s Home Screen, launching apps, and interacting using the Mac’s keyboard and trackpad, including Multi-Touch gestures like swiping, pinching to zoom, and scrolling. Notifications from the iPhone can also be viewed and managed on the Mac, providing a seamless integration between devices.
The operating system improves window management through enhanced tiling, making it easier to arrange windows by dragging them to the screen edges or using keyboard shortcuts for efficient multitasking. Safari has been upgraded with features like Highlights for quick access to key webpage information, a redesigned Reader offering streamlined article views with summaries and tables of contents, a Viewer Mode for distraction-free video watching that automatically transitions to Picture-in-Picture, and Distraction Control to hide disruptive webpage elements.
A new Passwords app centralizes all credentials for websites and apps, including passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes, making it easier to manage and access them securely. Verification codes can be set up directly within the app for convenient copying or autofill in Safari, and secure syncing with iCloud ensures access across all devices with end-to-end encryption. Windows support through the iCloud Passwords app extends this convenience to Windows devices.
Video conferencing enhancements include Presenter Preview, which lets users preview their screen before sharing during calls, and Play Preview in Keynote to see where content and presenter notes will appear before presenting. Users can also customize their video call backgrounds with personal photos or built-in options through Background Replacement.
In Messages, new features like animated text effects bring conversations to life by visually amplifying messages with dynamic animations. Text formatting options allow for bold, underline, italics, and strike-through styling, while emoji and sticker Tapbacks provide a more expressive way to react to messages. The ability to compose messages now and schedule them to send later adds flexibility to communications.
Maps introduces topographic maps displaying trails, contour lines, elevations, and points of interest, with hiking information available for national parks, including offline access. Users can create custom walking and hiking routes for various activities and organize all saved places, guides, and routes within the Places Library.
Enhancements to Notes include the ability to start audio recordings directly within a note, with live transcriptions that are fully searchable. Users can enter mathematical expressions to receive instant solutions, simplify long notes by collapsing sections, and highlight text with multiple colour options for emphasis.
The Photos app now automatically organizes the library into collections based on topics like Days, Trips, People and Pets, and Featured Photos. Groupings in People and Pets show photos of frequently appearing subjects together. Video speed control allows users to slow down high-frame-rate videos with precise in and out points, and the Recovered album surfaces images previously hidden due to database issues.
Additional updates include dynamic subtitles in the Apple TV app that appear when needed, such as when the content language doesn’t match the device language or when audio is muted. AirPods receive features like hands-free Siri interactions using head gestures, voice isolation for clearer call quality even in noisy environments, and personalized spatial audio for gaming, enhanced by a new developer API.
Other improvements encompass updated basic and scientific calculators in the Calculator app that can solve expressions, convert units, and provide a history of past calculations. The Calendar app now integrates reminders alongside meetings and appointments, with a recently deleted list for retrieving reminders. Free-form introduces scenes to organize content into sections, while the Weather app prominently displays the “Feels Like” temperature when it significantly differs from the actual temperature.
In the Home app, users can provide guests with date and time-based access to locks, garage doors, and alarm systems. Lastly, Accessibility Vocal Shortcuts assist users with severe atypical speech by allowing them to record custom utterances that trigger specific actions on the Mac.
Overall, macOS 15 Sequoia aims to deliver a more intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable experience, enhancing both work and leisure activities on the Mac through these comprehensive updates and new features.
macOS Sequoia is available for download now. More information can be found at Apple.com.
