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Apple introduced the successor to macOS Big Sur during its annual WWDC keynote. Now macOS 12 Monterey has been officially released to all users worldwide.
The new Mac operating system contains some cool new features. However, some of them are only available on Mac devices with Apple Silicon Chip. Here is an overview.
Shortcuts for Mac
The new macOS Monterey brings shortcuts from iOS to the Mac. The automation tool is a simpler system than the well-known Automator or AppleScript, both of which are still supported.
This year we're bringing Shortcuts to Mac. After all, the Mac is where we turn to for much of our creative work. And now you can automate the everyday things to achieve peak productivity. With the Shortcuts Editor, users can easily chain together a series of actions to design shortcuts for their specific workflows. We're integrating Shortcuts throughout macOS so users can perform them regardless of the app they have open.
Safari
Safari on macOS Monterey includes privacy and performance features, most notably in its new system for displaying and using tabs.
We designed Safari from the start to provide the best browsing experience on the Mac and it continues to blow the competition out of the water. Our users are doing more in the browser than ever before. Work, school, shopping, entertainment and that often leaves them with a ton of tabs, windows and other distractions. We think using the browser should feel natural and uncluttered, so we redesigned the browsing experience and stripped the toolbar down to its essential elements. Tabs are more compact, modern, lighter and there's a whole new way to use tabs, with tab groups that allow users to easily save and manage their tabs without cluttering their tab bar.
data protection and iOS compatibility
The other major updates also focus on adding new features to iMessage as well as improving support for Apple Silicon Macs. It also brings the Mac up to date with features important to the new iOS 15. With the ability to share this information with those users want to collaborate with, Apple has also enhanced macOS's existing privacy protections. Just like iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, Apple Mail will block the ability for email providers to detect when users read their emails.
macOS Monterey: Focus
Also taken from the new iOS 15 is the Focus function. A user can set a Focus mode on all of their devices that filters out unrelated notifications - and can automatically respond to other users. By default, Apple includes several specific Focus modes, such as Work. But users can add and customize their own. Users who currently pay for iCloud services will automatically be upgraded to iCloud+, which offers new privacy features for the Mac, including a VPN.
These features are available exclusively for Macs with M-series chips
However, there are also a few features that are only available on Apple Silicon devices. This includes, for example, portrait mode in FaceTime. Only M1 Macs running macOS Monterey will be able to blur the background of a video call with FaceTime.
- Maps: The interactive globe and detailed new city view will be available only on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS Monterey. With these two features, users will be able to interact with a 3D globe and explore cities with details for elevation, roads, trees, buildings, landmarks, and more.
- Object Capture: On macOS Monterey, users can transform a series of 2D images into a photorealistic 3D object optimized for AR – in just a few minutes.
- Siri: Neural speech in multiple languages will only be available on Macs with M-series chips. With macOS Monterey, this feature will also be available in additional languages, including Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and Finnish.
- On-device dictation: Keyboard dictation helps protect user privacy because all processing is done completely offline. With macOS Monterey, users can dictate text of any length without timing out.
Compatible Macs for macOS Monterey
The new macOS Monterey is supported by the following Mac models:
iMac: Late 2015 or later
- iMac Pro
- MacBook Air: Early 2015 and later
- MacBook Pro: Early 2015 and later
- Mac Pro: end of 2013
- Mac mini: late 2014 and later
- MacBook: Early 2016 and later
The update is now available free of charge for all Mac users. Download available. Have fun with macOS 12 Monterey. (Image: Apple)
