Expected in the fall of 2022, Apple’s macOS 13 for Macs and MacBooks comes with the name Ventura and visually looks very similar to the previous version. There are several new features and improvements, some of which are related to iOS 16.
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Stage Manager
A whole new feature for macOS 13 is Stage Manager, a feature that helps organize your windows and apps like App Exposé and Mission Control. By clicking the Stage Manager button in the Control Center at the top of the screen, macOS will organize all your open windows and applications into groups that you can quickly remember using the icons on the edge of the screen.
This feature allows you to create custom groups of applications in layouts of your choice. You can also set up the app you’re working on in the middle of the screen without entering full screen, so you can still use other apps. While working in Stage Manager, you can click on the desktop to find files and use Mission Control to change applications.
Use your iPhone as a webcam
A new feature called Continuity Camera lets you use your iPhone as a webcam on your Mac. If you have an iPhone 11 or later with an ultra-wide camera, you can use Apple’s central stage, which allows you to walk around your surroundings and watch the video automatically. You will need a tripod or some kind of clasp to keep the camera stable, in a position that works for any type of video call you are making.
A feature called Desk View uses an ultra-wide camera to mimic an overhead camera, showing both your desk and your face. In addition, if you have an iPhone 12 or later, you can use Studio Light mode to “skillfully” brighten your face or portrait mode (on iPhone XR, SE or later) to blur the background just like portrait mode photos in iOS.
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More powerful Spotlight search
Spotlight is probably the fastest way to run apps on your Mac, but with macOS 13 this feature becomes even more intelligent with a new design that delivers more results and action than ever before. You can now search for images in applications such as Notes and Messages, and search for text with Live Text, which detects text within images.
Spotlight also gets a little smarter in terms of performing actions, a bit like Alfred. Now you can do things like run macOS shortcuts, start a timer or alarm using the Clock app, switch to focus mode, and even search for images on the web. There’s also a handy new Quick Look shortcut triggered by a space bar when hovering in Spotlight score.
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Passwords replace (some) passwords
Finally, with the arrival of Venture, came Passkeys, Apple’s joint venture with Google and Microsoft. Using public and private key cryptography, access keys are combined with biometric data such as Face ID (on iPhone) and Touch ID (on Mac) so you can log in without entering a password.
This marks a major step forward into a future without passwords. Access keys are less open to phishing attacks and will not compromise your account in the event of a website leak.
Better mail app
The Mail app in iOS 16 and macOS 13 gets some useful new features commonly found in third-party email clients. These include scheduled outgoing mail, the ability to cancel sending emails 10 seconds after sending, and the ability to pin sent emails for follow-up or use the “Remind Me” option to re-read the read email later.
Mail is more flexible in terms of correcting search terms, reminders to add attachments, or recipients to mail messages you compose, and smarter search suggestions as you type.
Messages Enhancements
If you’re used to chatting with iMessage with other Apple users (blue clouds), you’ll now be able to edit and cancel messages within 15 minutes of sending, or cancel deleted messages within 30 days of sending. You can also send collaboration invitations to entire groups within the document messaging window in Pages, shared Apple notes, and more, as well as get updates about those collaborations within the same window.
SharePlay also extends to messaging, allowing you to sync shared activities like listening to music or watching movies directly from your Mac via iMessage. Finally, the ability to mark messages as unread is finally there after so many years.
Focus improvements
Just like iOS 16, macOS 13 will get all of Apple’s Focus enhancements to help eliminate unwanted interference. This includes the ability to use focus filters to set boundaries within specific apps, giving you more control over what appears in the apps you use depending on which focus mode is currently selected. Third-party developers will be able to use the API to integrate this feature into their applications.
You can also schedule focus modes depending on the time of day or your current location, and setting Focus is easier than ever with the new adjustment process. Similar to Focus on iOS 15 and macOS 12, these settings should be synced between devices like your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
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Safari updates
Shared card groups are new to macOS 13, but the Mac now supports card groups that can be shared with a group of friends. You can also pin cards within groups of tabs and set the homepage of a group of tabs. There is support for a new series of web technologies, new APIs for web extensions that allow more advanced extensions, and installed extensions will also sync between devices.
Major macOS updates always show the biggest improvements to Safari, with incremental updates that provide minor updates such as security patches and bug fixes.
New layout system settings
The macOS System Preferences panel always looked a bit cluttered, so Apple arranged it for macOS Ventura. The refreshed design renames the control panel to System Settings and is organized by modern categories with a powerful browser on top to select deeply nested switches.
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iCloud shared photo library and photo enhancements
ICloud users can now launch a Shared Photo Library with five members of their family plan, along with their existing private iCloud photo library. You can choose to share everything or choose the photos you want to share, to contribute to group work and get memories that span multiple perspectives. If you have trouble deciding what to choose, Photos will give you smart suggestions.
Photos also get more enhancements to the basic app, including the ability to copy and paste photo edits, detect duplicate photos, and new photo pickers in system apps to make importing pictures into other apps even easier. By default, your hidden and recently deleted albums will be locked behind a password or Touch ID, further protecting your privacy.
Better playing games with SharePlay and Game Center
While you probably shouldn’t buy a Mac solely for gaming purposes, SharePlay is now expanding to games that use the Multiplayer Game Center. This allows you to easily start gaming sessions together and update the redesigned Game Center app that lets you track activities and achievements with friends in one place.
There’s also a handy new accessibility option that allows you to map two controllers together, so parents or guardians can lend a helping hand if they need it.
New iOS-style apps
macOS finally gets a dedicated Clock application with timers and alarms, plus Spotlight integration to run. There’s also an iPad-style Weather Forecast app with detailed weather maps, forecasts, weather alerts and fancy animations.
and much more
With macOS 13 and iOS 16 now using the same architecture, many of the same improvements were made to both operating systems in the same year. Some other highlights include Handoff and Live subtitles via FaceTime, better dictation features, a new Home app as seen on iOS 16 and more Memoji poses and styles.
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