Apple’s macOS Sequoia public beta has arrived, offering developers, bug hunters, and eager users a glimpse into the future of macOS. While the official release is still months away, the beta provides a valuable preview of upcoming features. However, one key element is notably absent: Apple Intelligence. So, is the macOS Sequoia public beta still worth exploring? Let’s dive in.
Missing Apple Intelligence
AppleIt’s important to acknowledge that this is a beta version, and therefore a work in progress. However, the most anticipated feature, Apple Intelligence, is missing and won’t be available for some time. This AI platform promises to revolutionize macOS with tools for text rewriting, image generation, email sorting, and enhanced Siri functionality. Its absence is undeniably a significant omission.
Apple has confirmed that Apple Intelligence (in U.S. English only) will be released “later this year,” but hasn’t provided a specific date. Reports suggest a staggered rollout, with some features launching alongside macOS Sequoia, others arriving later in 2024, and some not until 2025. The wait for this groundbreaking feature is understandable, given its complexity and potential impact.
iPhone Mirroring and Enhanced Window Management
iPhone screen mirroring on a MacBook.macOS Sequoia introduces intriguing features for app window management. iPhone Mirroring creates a virtual iPhone on your Mac desktop, mirroring your phone’s content. You can interact with apps, swipe, enter text, and receive notifications directly on your Mac. Unlocking your iPhone via your Mac’s password, Apple Watch, or Magic Keyboard’s Touch ID adds to the seamless integration.
The potential to drag and drop files between Mac and iPhone is promising, though not yet functional in this beta. Currently, iPhone Mirroring suffers from low resolution, occasional blurriness, and inconsistent swiping, particularly with wireless mice. Improvements in performance and compatibility are expected in future updates.
Three app windows arranged on a screen using window tiling in macOS Sequoia.Another welcome addition is window snapping and tiling, a long-awaited feature for macOS. Dragging windows to the screen edge triggers snapping, with an option to use the Option key for more precise placement. Keyboard shortcuts are available, though currently not customizable, limiting accessibility for users with third-party keyboards. While sufficient for many, power users may still prefer apps like BetterTouchTool for more advanced window management.
FaceTime and Messages Updates
The presenter preview FaceTime feature in macOS Sequoia.
The presenter preview FaceTime feature in macOS Sequoia.Recognizing the increased reliance on video calls, macOS Sequoia enhances FaceTime with Presenter Preview, enabling precise control over shared windows during screen sharing. Custom backgrounds are also available, although the background cutout effect needs refinement.
Messages gains new effects (shake, nod, explode, etc.) for text and emoji. Tapbacks now support any emoji or sticker, and message scheduling is a convenient addition.
Mail updates, including rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing features, are tied to Apple Intelligence and thus unavailable in the current beta.
Notes, Photos, and Maps Enhancements
The Apple Maps app in macOS Sequoia, showing topographic details and a custom route.Notes introduces Math Notes, which interprets and calculates mathematical formulas. Collapsible sections and highlighting are practical improvements. Live audio transcription, while promising, currently causes app crashes.
The Photos app redesign in macOS Sequoia is less dramatic than its iOS 18 counterpart, primarily adding Recent Days, Trips, and People & Pets albums.
Maps now features topographic imagery and custom route creation with waypoints. The route dialogue displays distance, time, elevation change, and more. However, route modification after selection (e.g., switching from “Out & Back”) requires restarting, and offline route downloading appears absent.
Passwords, Safari Updates, and More
The Passwords app in macOS Sequoia.A new Passwords app aims to compete with leading password managers, offering import functionality (though not fully compatible with all managers like 1Password), passkey and one-time passcode management, and a Reminders-like interface. However, it lacks features like favorites, secure password revealing, one-click copying, dark web monitoring, and password health checks.
The Highlights feature in Safari running in macOS Sequoia.Safari updates include an enhanced Reader mode with customizable themes, fonts, and text size, as well as a “find on page” option. While a contents list was demonstrated at WWDC, it wasn’t observed during testing. New web video controls offer a pop-out view and picture-in-picture functionality, although not all videos trigger this feature.
Awaiting Apple Intelligence
The writing tools aspect of Apple Intelligence being demonstrated at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024.The macOS Sequoia beta offers a compelling preview of new features, particularly window tiling. However, the absence of Apple Intelligence makes a complete assessment difficult. The revamped Siri, generative AI, editing tools, and ChatGPT integration are all missing and will significantly impact the final experience. While the current beta is promising, the true potential of macOS Sequoia will only be realized with the arrival of Apple Intelligence.
