At WWDC today, Apple announced macOS 15 Sequoia, the next version of its Mac operating system with several new AI features that were also announced for iPhone with iOS 18, in addition to a new Password app, a major update to Safari, and a new Continuity feature called iPhone. Mirroring.
About the new AI features, we’ve heard about “Apple Intelligence,” which Apple says is a deeply integrated, personalized AI environment for Apple devices that uses cutting-edge generative AI to improve the user experience on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
According to Apple, the service “combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence that is incredibly useful and relevant.” Apple Intelligence “understands and creates language and images, takes actions across apps, and draws on personal context to simplify and speed up everyday tasks.”
“The stellar combination of the power of Apple’s silicon and the legendary ease of use of macOS has made the Mac more capable than ever before. Today, we’re excited to take macOS to new heights with macOS Sequoia, a major release that boosts productivity and intelligence,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering. “MacOS Sequoia powers Apple Intelligence and unlocks incredible new game-changing features for working on the Mac. And with more ways to help users get things done effortlessly, new Continuity features like iPhone mirroring, major updates to Safari, and a slew of new games, we think Mac users are going to love it.”
As part of new AI features, Image Playground allows users to create playful images in seconds and choose from three styles: Animation, Illustration or Sketch. Designed to be easy to use, Image Playground is integrated directly into apps like News and is also available in a dedicated app.
macOS Sequoia includes a new Continuity feature called iPhone Mirroring, which lets you view and control your iPhone right from your Mac. According to Apple, “the user’s custom wallpaper and icons appear just like they do on their iPhone, and users can navigate between pages on the home screen or launch and browse any of their favorite apps.” Not only that, but the Mac’s keyboard, trackpad, and mouse allow interaction with your iPhone and even sound.
Your iPhone displays everything on your Mac, including icons, the home screen, apps, and more. Any app can be opened and all the time your iPhone can remain locked so no one else can access it. You can even drag and drop items and files from Mac to iPhone seamlessly. macOS 15 also brings iPhone notifications to the Mac, where they appear alongside Mac notifications and can be responded to.
Meanwhile, Safari now offers Highlights, which Apple describes as “an even easier way to discover information on the web like directions, summaries or quick links to learn more about people, music, movies and TV shows”. Reader mode has been redesigned and now includes a simplified article view, summary and table of contents for longer articles.”
In addition, macOS now automatically resizes windows to arrange them and fill the screen, using the maximum screen area. Drag a window to the edge of the screen and macOS Sequoia will automatically suggest a tile position on the desktop. There are also new hotkeys and menu hotkeys designed to better organize tiles.
The update also brings a Presenter Preview feature with a new keyboard and hotkeys to help users arrange tiles. Users can also add built-in backgrounds, including color gradients and system wallpapers, or upload their own photos. Background replacement can also be used during a video call in FaceTime or in third-party applications such as Webex.
macOS 15 also includes a new dedicated Passwords app that lets you manage Wi-Fi passwords, app and website passwords, verification codes, and more. Passwords sync across devices, and macOS uses autofill to populate passwords in the Passwords app. The Passwords app is also available for Windows, thanks to iCloud for Windows.
Apple is also highlighting Memories in Photos, which it says allows users to create the stories they want to see “just by entering a description.” Apple Intelligence selects the best photos and videos based on description, creates a story with chapters based on themes identified from the photos, and organizes them into a movie with its own narrative arc. There’s also a new Clean Up tool that can “identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo – without accidentally changing the subject.”
Other features include: Message updates that have brand new text effects, Tapbacks emoticons and stickers, and the ability to schedule a message to be sent later; hiking and trail routes in Maps, collections in the Photos app, smarter notes and better integration of calendar and reminders. macOS 15 Sequoia will be released to the public in the fall.