Month: October 2024

Released in mid-September, macOS 15 (Sequoia) has the most useful features of any Mac OS version of the last few years. The good news is that it delivers an entire host of useful features (plus some non-essential ones), but on the flip side, it’s only compatible with fairly recent Mac models, making it a non-issue for users with older Macs. If your Mac supports macOS 14 (Sonoma), it will run Sequoia (with the notable exception of pre-2020 MacBook Air laptops).

And, as expected, there are plenty of “cute” additions, bells and whistles, things that nobody ever uses (or cares about – new emojis, I’m talking to you!), but c’est la vie, these have become expected from our friends over in Cupertino. But all the fluff is.  outweighed by the addition of the useful new features. 

The five best new features of macOS Sequoia:

iPhone Mirroring 

This feature (actually a new app included in the OS update) allows you to control your iPhone from your Mac. Which is an extremely useful feature when it comes to troubleshooting your iPhone remotely. In iPhone Mirroring, you can use your Mac input devices (mouse, keyboard, trackpad) to control your iPhone. 

Of course, there are conditions. Not only does the Mac have to be upgraded to Sequoia, but the iPhone also has to be running iOS 18. And the iPhone must be signed in to the same Apple Account as the Mac. I’m finding this a little quirky in my tests, but I’m sure the big brains at Apple will get those bugs straightened out sooner rather than later. Hopefully.

Passwords App

Another new app, Passwords, was also included in the OS update. Gone are the days of messing around with Keychain, a semi-helpful item hidden in the Utilities folders. (Where is the Utilities folder?) Back then, all sorts of encryption keys and other non-useful stuff clogged up Keychain; in Sequoia, Keychain has been expunged. 

Now the user-friendly Passwords app looks to take on rival password managers, namely 1Password, Dashlane, Keeper, and LastPass (which has had its own share of trouble). 

Notes Upgrades

The Notes app has been part of the Mac OS since way-back-when, but with the release of Sequoia, there are some serious upgrades.  These include:

• Collapsable Sections: You can now collapse sections of notes, as long as they’ve been created under a “heading” within the note.

• Highlighting: Now, Notes allows texts in colors other than black. Five colors – pink, purple mint, blue, and orange – have been added. (Henry Ford be damned!)

• Recording and Transcribing: Notes now has a built-in audio recording feature, allowing you to compose (and transcribe) audio notes. This function does not replace Voice Memos, which is still available on the Mac and iPhone. 

Window Title Bar Options

This feature allows you customize what happens when you double click on the title bar of a window. In System Settings > Desktop & Dock, you have the option to fill the screen, zoom, or minimize. Or do nothing, if you have trouble making decisions. 

Calculator Upgrades

Similar to Notes, the calculator has been part of the Mac OS for a couple of light years. Way longer, as a matter of fact. In Sequoia, you know have the option to switch between Basic, Scientific, and Programmer calculators, as well as a whole host of conversions, using the Convert option.

These, and plenty more upgrades are all functions of the Sequoia OS. There are also plans for Apple Intelligence to be integrated into this (and iOS 18), but, for the most part, that is going to be included in an incremental upgrade. Stay tuned.