With the upcoming macOS Sequoia, Apple is poised to integrate a range of AI-powered features to enhance desktop computing. However, while U.S. users can expect a smooth rollout of these features, European users will face delays due to stringent EU regulations. Despite this, macOS Sequoia still has plenty to offer across the board, from improved window management to new video conferencing tools and enhanced password management.
Streamlined Window Management – A Boost for Multitasking
For years, macOS has lagged behind Windows when it comes to window management. With Sequoia, Apple is addressing that gap by improving how users manage multiple browser or app windows. When dragging a window to the edge of the screen, macOS Sequoia will now offer tiling options, allowing users to quickly snap windows into place, similar to Windows’ “Snap” feature. This update allows for greater flexibility by letting users arrange windows side by side or position them in one of the four corners of the screen.
Additionally, faster organization is enabled through keyboard shortcuts and menu commands. A particularly useful tip: holding down the Option key while clicking the maximize button brings up even more positioning options for better control of screen real estate.
Video Conferencing Gets a Makeover
Apple continues to build on last year’s macOS Sonoma video conferencing features with Sequoia. The update introduces a new preview feature, allowing users to see shared content before broadcasting it in apps like FaceTime and Zoom.
Another exciting addition is the ability to customize video backgrounds. Users can now select system backgrounds, apply color gradients, or even use personal photos as virtual backdrops. This feature will be available for FaceTime and third-party apps like Webex, offering a bit more personality and privacy during calls.
Password Manager Unification Across Platforms
Apple’s commitment to security continues with a new integrated password manager in macOS Sequoia. This manager, also available in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and VisionOS 2.0, centralizes all of your passwords, Wi-Fi access points, passkeys, and two-factor authentication codes in one app. Syncing seamlessly across Apple devices, this new password tool also extends support to Windows computers through iCloud for Windows, offering comprehensive management across multiple platforms.
Safari Gains Control and Clarity
Safari users will notice some handy new functions, including “Video Preview,” which brings more control over embedded videos on websites. This feature, accessed via the address bar, lets users pop videos out of their original web pages for uninterrupted viewing while browsing other sites.
In addition, Safari now includes a “Web Eraser” function, enabling users to hide distracting content on websites with a flick. Together, these tools make browsing more efficient and less cluttered.
Upgraded Messaging and Notes Features
The Messages app has received several upgrades in Sequoia, enhancing functionality for macOS, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18. New text formatting options, including bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough, give users greater control over their messages. Emoji and stickers have also been added to Tapback reactions, offering more expressive responses to conversations. One of the most useful features? The ability to schedule messages in advance, perfect for reminders or timed announcements.
Mathematical Notes in the Notes App
Sequoia’s Notes app gets a particularly clever update with the introduction of “Mathematical Notes.” Users can now enter equations directly into their notes and have them automatically calculated in real time. Whether calculating a shopping list or working out a math problem, this feature simplifies the process by embedding the calculation into your note without needing a separate app.
Release Schedule for macOS Sequoia
While the final release of macOS Sequoia is expected in September, it’s currently available as a preview version. Apple is likely to announce its official rollout date at the iPhone 16 event on September 9, aligning its desktop OS update with the launch of its next-generation iPhones.
As always, Apple continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible on its desktop OS, and while some features may be delayed in certain regions, macOS Sequoia offers a mix of AI enhancements and practical tools that make it a compelling upgrade for users worldwide.