macOS Ventura released – features, compatible Mac models and more

Mac

Apple has released macOS Ventura for all compatible Macs today. The update is a massive release and brings various new features to Macs including Stage Manager for improved multitasking, improvements to gaming, enhanced continuity features, and updates to first-party apps like Safari, Mail, Spotlight, Messages, and more.

macOS Ventura

macOS Ventura – new features

macOS Ventura is a huge update. It does not feature any visible design changes to most parts of the operating system but it improves many of the first-party apps. Here are some of the updates that you can enjoy after this update:

  • System Preferences have been completely redesigned. It has an iPadOS-like look, and a few settings have been shuffled. This is the first time that Apple has revamped System Preferences in macOS but the good thing is, they have used the new user interface for all settings, including Wi-Fi networking, instead of keeping some in the old interface. It may take some time to get used to, but users don’t have a choice.
  • Stage Manager is now part of macOS, just like iPadOS. It is a new multitasking interface that shows your open windows on the left side of the screen. Users can create workspaces with different pairing of apps and switch between them using Mission Control and Spaces. So far, this feature has not been well received on iPadOS, and we doubt many users will use it on Mac at all since multitasking is already so good on it.
  • Continuity Camera is a new feature that allows using an iPhone’s camera as the primary input device, without using any wires. The feature works really well, and if you are not happy with your Mac’s camera, it can come in clutch during video calls. This feature also supports Center Stage, which keeps you centered in the frame during a video call even when you move around. Studio Light and Portrait mode are also available thanks to iPhone cameras. Lastly, a Desk View feature uses the iPhone’s ultra-wide camera to provide an overhead view of whatever you are doing. The only thing you need is an accessory to attach your iPhone to your Mac.
    • Desk View works on iPhone 11 and later.
    • Studio Light works on iPhone 12 and later.
    • Portrait mode works on iPhone XR and iPhone SE 2 and later.
  • Spotlight has also received some love after a long time and now features a new design and shows enhanced image search results, including images from apps like Messages and Notes, as well as from the Internet. It also supports Live Text for photo search. Spotlight also now supports quick actions to start various activities like timers, finding the name of a song in Shazam, and more. However, this feature does not work as well as advertised.
  • Safari gains support for Passkeys which allows passwordless sign-in on supported apps and websites. This provides more security than traditional passwords, and in a time when we often get password change emails from services that get hacked, it is a welcome addition. Apple also claims that Safari is the fastest and most efficient browser on macOS Ventura but has not shared any numbers to prove it. Shared Tab Groups are also available in Safari now so that users can send messages right from the browser or start FaceTime calls. All participants in the shared tab group can add tabs and bookmarks.
  • Mail has lagged behind the competition for years, but Apple has finally added some features that make it better. It now has improved search suggestions, undo send, schedule send, follow-up notifications, and rich links support. The app can also remind you to attach files, almost a decade after other services like Gmail introduced the feature.
  • Messages app now supports editing messages, undo send, SharePlay without a video or audio call, richer collaboration with apps like Notes, Keynote, Reminders, and Safari Tab Groups and more.
  • iCloud Shared Photo Library is an improved version of the feature and now syncs edits and keyword changes, smarter sharing, and more.
  • FaceTime now supports handoff between Apple devices. You can start a call on one device and move it to another one without reconnecting.
  • Games can now support Metal 3 and SharePlay. Metal 3 features MetalFX Upscaling and fast resource loading API which can improve gaming experiences for games that support them. Game Center also has a new design and is more useful than before.

Is macOS Ventura compatible with your Mac?

macOS Ventura is compatible with the following Mac models:

  • MacBook Air (early 2015 and later)
  • MacBook Pro (early 2015 and later)
  • MacBook (early 2016 and later)
  • iMac (later 2015 and later)
  • iMac Pro (2017 and later)
  • Mac mini (late 2014 and later)
  • Mac Pro (late 2013 and later)

The update is now available over the air for users. You can go to System Preferences > Software Update to start the download on your Mac.

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