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With macOS 15 Sequoia, Apple is bringing a number of exciting new features to the Mac. Most notably, there are improvements to video conferencing, including presenter preview and background replacement. These features are designed to make your presentations and video calls more professional and smoother.
While Apple Intelligence is considered the most significant new feature of macOS Sequoia, the video conferencing features are another highlight that will improve your remote work and virtual meetings. Both presenter preview and background replacement are already available in the beta version of macOS Sequoia and are supported in third-party apps such as Zoom and WebEx as well as in FaceTime. Have you ever shared something embarrassing during a presentation?
presenter preview
This can be very inconvenient, especially if you accidentally reveal sensitive information. Apple recognized this problem and developed Presenter Preview. This feature lets you see exactly what you are about to share before you actually share it. This preview works seamlessly with apps like FaceTime and Zoom. The Mac offers a system-wide video controller in the top right corner of the screen during video calls. This controller is part of the menu bar and contains settings like Center Stage, Portrait, and Reactions. One of the most important functions of this panel is previewing what you are presenting during screen sharing. With macOS Sequoia, you have the option to share your entire screen. Alternatively, you can also select specific active apps or windows to share. You can even change this selection during the presentation by adding or removing additional windows and apps. This gives you maximum flexibility and control over your presentation.
Replace Background
Background replacement is another groundbreaking feature that Apple has included in macOS Sequoia. While previous versions of the Mac offered simple background replacements for Photo Booth, this time it's a professional implementation that relies on Apple's "industry-leading segmentation." This means you should use Apple's background replacement instead of the built-in versions from Zoom and WebEx. Most notably, this feature is also available in FaceTime for the first time. You can enable background replacement in the menu bar's video controller panel. In the new Background section, you can turn the feature on or off, assign a custom background, or choose from a variety of gradients and pre-made backgrounds.
Additional functions
In addition to reliability, Apple's version of background replacement offers a few additional features. You can apply video enhancements like portrait background blur and studio lighting to your custom background and yourself. Additionally, background replacements remain consistent across calls, so you don't have to reconfigure every time you want to use your preferred background. The video control panel lets you access the options directly in any compatible video calling app.
macOS 15 Sequoia: Maximum control over your presentations
Presenter Preview is a particularly useful screen sharing enhancement in macOS Sequoia. This feature will help you avoid accidental oversharing during video calls. Background Replacement, on the other hand, brings FaceTime up to date and allows you to maintain a professional look across all video calling apps. With these new tools, macOS Sequoia will take your virtual collaboration and presentations to the next level. Looking for new accessories? Then check out our Amazon Storefront – there you'll find numerous products from leading providers, including products for HomeKit and others! (Image: Apple)
