MacOS Sonoma gets widgets on the desktop and gaming mode

By admin On Jun 5, 2023

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Apple shows off its next version of macOS. The new version of the OS will be codenamed Sonoma and will include support for widgets on the desktop and new gaming features. The OS will be available later this year.

Desktop widgets are the biggest change in macOS Sonoma. Previous versions of the operating system already had widgets, but until now they were incorporated into the notification center. Users can place the new widgets anywhere on the desktop, according to Apple. Widgets fade when an app window is open.

In addition to widgets for installed Mac apps, Macs can also use iPhone widgets, provided the phone is close to the Mac or connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Widgets are also interactive; For example, Apple shows a widget in which a connected car was controlled with a desktop widget.

MacOS Sonoma also gets a new gaming mode. According to Apple, this mode gives priority to games for CPU and GPU resources. That mode should also offer lower input latency with connected PlayStation and Xbox controllers by doubling the Bluetooth sampling rate. The audio latency of connected AirPods should also be lower in the new mode. During its presentation, Apple says, among other things, that Death Stranding Director’s Cut will be released for macOS.

Furthermore, macOS Sonoma introduces new improvements for video calling. Users can now display their webcam feed on top of a split screen, so that the user remains in view during a presentation. This can be done in a small bubble or in a large view.

The Safari browser also gets new features. Private mode now locks browser windows when not in use. The same mode also blocks trackers in macOS Sonoma and automatically removes trackers from URLs. Safari will also get browser profiles, in which users can install separate extensions. Each profile stores its own log-ins and cookies, allowing users, for example, to log in to their work email address in a work profile and use their own email address in a private profile. Finally, the browser will have web apps, which allow users to use websites as separate apps. These apps can be added to the docks and get their own sidebar.

MacOS Sonoma will be available later this year. This will probably happen in October; Apple usually releases new macOS versions in that month. The company does not yet share a concrete release date.