WWDC 2023 Key Updates: macOS 14 Sonoma

Jay Buddhdev
Simform Engineering
3 min readJun 14, 2023

A closer look at the revolutionary features in macOS 14 Sonoma: WWDC 2023 highlights.

During the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023, Apple unveiled its newest desktop operating system, macOS 14 Sonoma, which draws its name from yet another California town.

Desktop Widgets

Apple discontinued the dashboard in macOS Catalina, removing the ability to add desktop widgets. With iOS and iPadOS adopting Home Screen widgets, it would make sense for Apple to bring this feature to macOS 14. Users currently access widgets in the Notification Center, but a simplified approach could allow pinning it to the desktop for easy access to timely information.

Screen Savers

The large Mac display showcases stunning slow-motion screen savers featuring breathtaking locations worldwide. Upon logging in, these screen savers seamlessly transform into your desktop wallpaper.

Video Conferencing

The updated Presenter Overlay feature allows you to stay engaged in the conversation while sharing your screen. There are two overlay options available: a large overlay and a small overlay. The large overlay emphasizes your presence by displaying your screen alongside a separate layer that frames you. This means you can freely move, walk, and talk in front of your content while remaining visible to others.

Gaming

Game Mode on your Mac prioritizes games by allocating maximum CPU and GPU resources, reducing usage for background tasks. It also improves responsiveness and reduces latency for wireless accessories, such as AirPods and controllers, enhancing your gaming experience

Lockdown Mode

Activate the enhanced Lockdown Mode to strengthen security measures and safeguard against advanced cyber threats. Enable it on all your Apple devices, including the Apple Watch, to ensure comprehensive protection.

macOS 14 Supported Devices

  • MacBook pro-2018 and later
  • MacBook Air 2018 and later
  • Mac Pro 2019 and later
  • Mac Studio 2022 and later
  • Mac Mini 2018 and later
  • iMac Pro 2017 and later
  • iMac 2019 and later

Wrapping Up

macOS Sonoma enhances your Mac experience with features that boost productivity, entertainment, and customization. Enjoy improved video calls, innovative information access, better gaming performance, and expanded personalization options, elevating your Mac usage. Apple has released iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and some hardware. We’ve published a series of blogs covering the updates announced at the WWDC 2023; please find the links below:

iOS 17 and iPadOS 17

watchOS 10

Hardware introduced at WWDC 2023

For more updates on the latest tools and technologies, follow the Simform Engineering blog.

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Jay Buddhdev
Simform Engineering

Software Engineer at Simform Solutions | iOS — Swift | Android — Kotlin