13/8/2024–|Last update: 8/13/202412:50 AM (Makkah Time)
At its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June, Apple announced the latest version of its Mac operating system, called macOS Sequoia, also known as macOS 15.
This new release offers several important features to enhance the user experience, including productivity-enhancing tools, seamless communication with iPhones, and the addition of new artificial intelligence features from Apple next fall.
Apple recently released a public beta version of the system, so that Mac users can try it out, so here are the most important features of the new version and how to install it on your device.
Top New Features in Mac OS Sequoia
One of the important and anticipated features that Apple has added to the new operating system is the “iPhone Mirroring” feature, which allows users to access and use their iPhone directly via their Mac, with the ability to display the iPhone screen on the computer, which facilitates the use of applications and control of notifications without having to open the phone in the first place.
Safari also received important new updates, including a “Highlights” feature that uses artificial intelligence to extract relevant information from web pages, such as directions, important links, and summaries. Apple also redesigned Reading Mode to reduce distractions, with a better display of articles and a summary and table of contents for longer articles.
The Window Arrangement feature offers some improvements when multitasking by efficiently organizing open windows. The feature suggests where to arrange those windows when the user drags a window to the edge of the screen, allowing them to arrange multiple windows next to each other or in the corners of the screen to make the most of the work space on the device's screen.
Last year, Apple added a lot of video conferencing tools to macOS Sonoma, and this year the company is adding some additional improvements to the new version, such as the new “presenter preview” feature across apps like FaceTime and Zoom.
The user will get this feature that allows him to see the content he is about to share before he does so. The call background can also be customized by choosing system-provided wallpapers, color tones, or by choosing personal photos, which enhances the visual appeal during video calls.
In terms of security and privacy, the new Passwords app replaces Keychain, a new cross-platform app that can store many new types of account credentials, such as Wi-Fi passwords, passkeys, verification codes, and shared passwords.
This app will be available on iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, VisionOS, and Windows, and supports end-to-end encryption, providing a stronger and easier solution for storing and managing passwords.
AI Features
As for Apple's AI features, which are new additions to the generative AI system that Apple will be introducing in the fall as a trial, the macOS Sequoia release will come with a set of new additions.
The Writing Tools feature includes a variety of capabilities to enhance the writing experience across apps like Notes, Email, and more. It offers a rewrite feature, which allows users to choose from different versions of text based on the format that works best for them.
In addition to the grammar checking tool that checks grammar, word choice and sentence structure, suggesting edits to the text and providing explanations, the “summarize” tool also allows users to summarize selected texts into a paragraph, list, table or key points, making it easier to prepare brief summaries.
Another innovative feature is Image Playground, which can be used to generate fun images based on animations. Available as a dedicated app and through the Messages app, users can generate images by choosing from available ideas, writing a description, or selecting an image from the photo library.
For photo lovers, Apple is introducing a new “Customize Your Memories” feature in the Photos app. Instead of relying on the default photo gallery, users can now type in a description of the story they want to tell, and Apple’s intelligence will then pick out the best photos and videos that fit that description, resulting in a cohesive story in a narrative-driven clip. The “Photo Cleanup” tool, similar to Google’s Magic Eraser, also lets users easily remove unwanted elements from their photos.
The Notes app in the new version has also become smarter with the ability to transcribe audio clips and summarize notes written by the user, which means that the user does not need to focus on taking notes in detail during meetings or lectures, as the app will do that for him.
What devices are compatible with the system?
You can upgrade to macOS Sequoia for free, but it will only come to select Apple computers, and some of the new features in the operating system, such as Apple's intelligence additions, will be exclusive to Macs that run Apple's M-series processors. Here's a list of devices that are compatible with the new operating system:
- MacBook Air: 2020 and later
- MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
- Mac mini: 2018 and later
- iMac: 2019 and later
- iMac Pro: 2017 and later
- Mac Pro: 2019 and later
- Mac Studio: 2022 and later
How to install the public beta?
For those who want to try out the new features early, you can install the public beta version, but first it is recommended to keep a backup copy of the files on your device before installing. To install the beta version, follow these steps:
- First you have to join Apple's beta program through the official website. from here.
- After entering the site, click on “Signup”, and if you are a subscriber, click on “Sign in”, and log in using your Apple account.
- After completing the registration steps, click on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
- Go to “General” and then choose “Software Update”.
- Click Beta Updates, select macOS Sequoia Beta, and then click Done.
- Click “Upgrade Now” to begin downloading and installing the new version.
- Your Mac will restart to complete the installation. Make sure your device is connected to a power source to avoid interruptions while installing the new version of the operating system.
