macOS Monterey: With Shortcuts App, Updated Safari Browsing, ‘Focus’
Apple has released macOS Monterey, a new version of macOS. Universal Control, AirPlay to Mac, and Shortcuts for Mac are all included in the new version of macOS. The changes to macOS Monterey, according to Apple, will help people get more done and operate more smoothly across all of their Apple devices.
Apple has changed the tabs in its web browser, starting with Safari upgrades, allowing users to view more of the website they’re on. The new tab bar matches the page’s color and integrates tabs, the toolbar, and the search box into a single compact design. Users can quickly store and manage tabs using Tab Groups, which sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
A Shortcuts app for Mac will be introduced with macOS Monterey. Shortcuts on Mac, as on iOS, allow users to do activities quickly, and Apple will provide a huge number of pre-built shortcuts for Mac users.
Universal Control
Links a Mac to an iPad, allowing users to utilize a single mouse, keyboard, or trackpad to operate on both devices. Users will be able to transfer their macOS mouse over to an iPad with ease, and they will be able to drag and drop material between the two devices.
AirPlay to Mac
Users will be able to play, show, and share anything on their iPhone or iPad immediately to a Mac display via AirPlay to Mac. Users may utilize their Mac speakers as an AirPlay speaker to listen to music or podcasts, or utilize the Mac as a secondary speaker for multiroom audio.
New capabilities in Notes include Quick Note, which allows users to scribble down notes on any app or website throughout the system. With the addition of mentions and an Activity View that shows all of the modifications made to a shared note, collaborative notes now have even more capabilities.
The new Focus feature that debuted in iOS 15 is now available in macOS Monterey. Users can opt to focus on their current task and ignore alerts that are irrelevant to it. Others who try to contact the user will be notified that they are concentrating and are unavailable. Focus works across Apple devices, so if you set it on your Mac, it will also function on your iPhone and iPad.
FaceTime
FaceTime will get a slew of new audio and video features, according to Apple, that will make conversations seem more real and real. FaceTime now supports spatial audio, and Voice Isolation guarantees that the user’s voice is heard clearly owing to machine learning that filters out surrounding noise. FaceTime’s Portrait Mode, like Portrait Mode in Photos, allows users to obscure the background of their call.
SharePlay, a follow-up to the FaceTime announcements, allows users to share their favorite music, TV programs, movies, projects, and more through FaceTime. All of Apple’s applications, including Apple Music and Apple TV+, will be supported, and a simple API will let third-party developers integrate their own apps with FaceTime. Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and more services will be available, according to Apple.
Other updates Include
- Maps – the new interactive globe and detailed city experience
- Live Text – copy and paste text directly from a photo
- iCloud+ – new premium features include Hide My Email, HomeKit Secure Video, and iCloud Private Relay
- Spatial Audio – AirPods Pro and AirPods Max support spatial audio on M1 Macs
- Privacy – Mail Privacy Protection and more
- Accessibility – Improved Full Keyboard Access, new cursor customization options, and more
The developer beta for macOS Monterey will be accessible starting today, and a public beta for Mac users will be ready in July. MacOS Monterey will be available as a free software upgrade in the fall for everyone else.
