MacNews

macOS Sequoia is here, bringing iPhone Mirroring, Apple Intelligence, and more to the Mac

Some Mac users are experiencing USB connectivity problems after upgrading to macOS Sequoia, reports AppleInsider.

macOS Sequoia is available today as a free software update for the Mac, bringing a variety of new features.

They include iPhone Mirroring, which expands Continuity by enabling access to and control of iPhone directly from macOS; big updates to Safari; a new Passwords app; and more. Starting next month, macOS Sequoia will introduce Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence that is incredibly useful and relevant while protecting users’ privacy and security.

Until then, here’s a look at the top features Mac users can experience when they update to macOS Sequoia, as announced by Apple: 

iPhone Mirroring

Working across iPhone and Mac gets even easier with the newest Continuity feature in macOS Sequoia — iPhone Mirroring. Users can now access and engage with their iPhone right from their Mac. Custom wallpaper and app icons appear just like on iPhone.

With iPhone Mirroring, users can now fully access and engage with their iPhone right from Mac while iPhone remains locked nearby.

With iPhone Mirroring, users can also swipe between pages on the Home Screen; launch and browse favorite apps; and review and respond to iPhone notifications directly from their Mac. And iPhone remains locked the whole time, so nobody else can access or see what the user is doing. It also works great with StandBy, so users can continue to get information at a glance on their iPhone as they use iPhone Mirroring.

More Surfing Power in Safari

Safari is the world’s fastest browser,2 and it’s even easier to discover new information on the web with the new Highlights feature. Powered by machine learning, Highlights automatically surfaces directions for a location, summaries of articles, or quick links to learn more about people, music, movies, and TV shows. A redesigned Reader allows users to read articles more quickly with a streamlined view, a summary, and a table of contents, and a new Viewer helps users put videos front and center while still giving them full access to system playback controls. With Distraction Control, users can hide items on a webpage that they may find disruptive to their browsing.

Easier Window Tiling

New ways to arrange windows let users stay organized with the layout that works best for them. By simply dragging a window to the edge of the screen, macOS Sequoia automatically suggests a tiled position on the user’s desktop.

Easier window tiling lets users quickly drag windows into key areas on their screen to effortlessly arrange them into side-by-side tiles, or place them into corners to keep even more apps in view.

Users can release a window right into place, quickly arrange tiles side by side, or place them in corners to keep even more apps in view. And new keyboard and menu shortcuts help organize tiles even faster.

A New Passwords App

An all-new Passwords app makes it even easier to access passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and other credentials all in one convenient place on Mac.

A new Passwords app makes it even easier to access passwords and organize credentials all in one place.

The Passwords app is backed by incredibly secure end-to-end encryption. It works great with Safari, and seamlessly syncs between all of a user’s Apple devices and Windows with the iCloud for Windows app.

Video Conferencing Updates

During video calls in FaceTime or third-party apps like Webex, users can apply beautiful built-in backgrounds, including a variety of color gradients or shots of the scenery in and around locations like Apple Park in Cupertino, California. They can even upload their own photos to use as a background, And with Apple’s industry-leading segmentation, users will look their best on every call. With presenter preview, users can now see what they’re about to share before sharing it with apps like FaceTime and Zoom.

Apple says that additional features of macOS Sequoia are:

Messages

In Messages, users can now schedule messages to send later. Text messages can also come to life with unique text effects that visually amplify words or emoji with animations like “explode,” “ripple,” and “nod,” and users can even tap back with any emoji or sticker they want.

Notes

In the Notes app, users can now record audio and receive a live transcription, making it incredibly easy to capture every detail of a lecture, meeting, or conversation, and Apple Intelligence will automatically generate a summary. Math Notes also comes to macOS Sequoia, enabling users to instantly solve an expression or math problem simply by typing it into the Notes app on Mac.

Maps

In the Maps app, outdoor enthusiasts gain access to stunning topographic maps and a selection of thousands of hikes available across U.S. national parks. Additionally, users can now easily create custom walking and hiking routes with just a few clicks.

For a comprehensive list of everything that’s new in macOS Sequoia, visit apple.com/macos/macos-sequoia.

Availability

macOS Sequoia is a free software update that is available starting today. For more information, visit apple.com/macos/macos-sequoia. Some features may not be available in all regions or in all languages.

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Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.