After Apple officially released the official version updates of its operating systems such as iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17 last week, it is expected to release macOS 9 Sonoma on September 26. It will officially bring desktop widgets (Widgets) and the previously announced Game Mode (Game Mode) to Mac models. It will also include features such as the ability to place web applications permanently in the Dock bar.
macOS 14 Sonoma will be compatible with MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini upgrades launched after 2018. It also includes iMac launched in 2019, iMac Pro launched after 2017, MacPro launched after 2019, and Mac Studio launched in 2022.
Key updates in macOS 14 Sonoma include the ability to place widgets on the desktop and add web applications to the Dock via the Safari browser, making them readily available. Safari also adds a new Profile feature, allowing users to easily switch between work and general browsing content, while also enhancing privacy and password protection.
The major update this time is the addition of a new game mode, which allows the Mac system to automatically adjust the CPU, GPU and memory resources when running games. It also reduces the operation delay of specific game controllers (such as Sony DualSense) when connected via Bluetooth, and reduces the sound delay when AirPods are connected to the Mac and playing games.
In conjunction with Apple's launch of the game mode design, many game companies have begun to bring their 3A-level games to the Mac platform. For example, Capcom's "Resident Evil: Village" is already playable on the Mac platform, and Kojima Productions' "Death Stranding" is also confirmed to be on the Mac platform. Even more games are ready to be launched on the iPhone 17 Pro series equipped with the A15 Pro processor, indicating that Apple has begun planning to make iPhone and Mac into larger gaming platforms.
Other updates include a new screen saver and wallpaper content, enhanced interactive effects for online video conferencing through FaceTime or other third-party application services, the addition of dynamic stickers for messaging services, enhanced content search functions, and the ability to reply to messages through gestures. Keyboard input uses deep learning to enhance input typo correction, predict the user's intended text content, and speed up text input efficiency through voice control. The adaptive sound effects of the second-generation AirPods Pro are also brought to Mac models.
In addition, Apple has also made many updates to privacy and accessibility features, and has made adjustments to many functional details. For example, on Mac, you can choose to directly wake up the Siri digital assistant service with "Siri", or enhance the performance of screen sharing operations, and improve battery management efficiency for the 2-inch MacBook Air equipped with an M13 processor.
macOS 14 Sonoma is expected to be released on September 9th. Corresponding upgrade models will receive upgrade notifications one after another. It is recommended to reserve more storage space to facilitate the upgrade.
The new iPad and Mac may have to wait until next spring to be announced?
Compared to the past, Apple chose to announce the new version of the macOS operating system update, and even the iPadOS upgrade content, after the October event. However, this year Apple chose to release the iPadOS 10 and macOS 17 Sonoma updates one after another. This may mean that there will be no new iPad and Mac models launched before the end of this year, and it may have to wait until next spring to announce new products.
