Table of Contents
Apple unveiled macOS 14 Sonoma at the highly anticipated WWDC 2023 event. Following the previous macOS Ventura, this new version of macOS introduces a range of exciting features that will enhance the Mac user experience.
Name and Expectations
Following the tradition of naming macOS versions after California locations, Sonoma continues this trend. Apple has trademarked numerous California place names, leaving room for speculation on future macOS versions. However, the current naming convention is expected to continue with Sonoma.
You can download macOS Sonoma here. (Link will be updated)
New Features and Rumors
The rumor mill leading up to the announcement of macOS 14 Sonoma remained relatively quiet. However, there are expectations of potential enhancements based on features introduced in iPhone and iPad devices. Widgets, which currently reside in the Notification Center on macOS, may become more accessible and useful by allowing users to add them to the desktop. Additionally, improvements to the Stage Manager feature, already available in iPadOS, could enhance multitasking capabilities on Macs. Another possibility is the expansion of mobile apps transitioning to macOS, similar to the introduction of Weather and Clock apps from iOS in the previous year.
Release Date
Based on Apple’s regular release schedule, macOS 14 Sonoma will likely launch in October or November. Previous macOS versions have followed similar timelines, with macOS Ventura released on October 24, macOS Monterey on October 25, and macOS Big Sur on November 12. The September release of macOS Mojave in 2018 was an exception. Beta testers can expect to get their hands on the macOS beta release after its announcement at this year’s WWDC.
Supported Devices
Typically, Macs that support the previous macOS version remains compatible with the latest update. For example, Macs supporting macOS Ventura, released in 2017 and later, are expected to be compatible with macOS 14. Official confirmation will be necessary to confirm the full list of supported devices.
- MacBook (2017 or later)
- MacBook Pro (2018 or later)
- MacBook Air (2017 or later)
- iMac (2017 or later)
- Mac Mini (2018 or later)
- Mac Studio
- Mac Pro (2019 or later)
- iMac Pro
Desired Improvements
There are several areas where macOS could be improved, including integrating the Health and Watch apps, redesigning the Mail app, creating a more user-friendly password manager, synchronizing alarms in the Clock app, and enhancing connectivity with upcoming AR/VR headsets.
Stay Tuned for Updates
As WWDC continues, more news and rumors about macOS 14 Sonoma will emerge. The iMore team will update you with the latest information and feature wishlist. The stable, public release of macOS 14 will be available later this year, while the beta version can be installed by registering for the beta program.
Current macOS Version
The current version of Apple’s Macintosh software is macOS Ventura, introduced at WWDC 2022. It offers new features that bring the Mac experience closer to iOS and iPadOS, running on most Macs released in the past five years.
Exciting times lie ahead for Mac users as macOS 14 Sonoma promises many new features and improvements. Stay tuned for more news and updates on this highly anticipated update.
