With the new M3 MacBook Air unveiled Apple is also releasing its latest macOS 14.4 software update to all Mac users. Although this is a mild upgrade, like macOS 14.3, a few worth noting functions will bring quality-of-life improvements to customers.
For example, with macOS 14.2, Apple added support for multiple timers on macOS Sonoma. With macOS 14.4, the company is expanding this feature with all ringtones currently available. Previously, only the classic tones were available.
For Apple Music, Books, and Podcasts apps, Apple switched the Listen Now tab to Home. Although there aren’t other changes, it’s interesting that Cupertino decided to make this move.
One of the most interesting macOS 14.4 features is Apple adding 28 new emojis. Most of the figures are skin tone modifiers and gender variants. Still, the new emojis include a lime, shaking heads, a phoenix, and four new gender-neutral family emojis intended to be represented via silhouettes.
In addition, Podcasts Episode text can be read in full, searched for a word or phrase, clicked to play from a specific point, and used with accessibility features such as Text Size, Increase Contrast, and Voice Over.
macOS 14.4 also brings Business Updates in Messages for Business, which lets you get updates that you’ve opted into, like order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts, or other transactions from trusted businesses.
Finally, Safari Favorites Bar adds an option to show only icons for websites.
With macOS 14.3, Apple added the following features:
- Collaborate on playlists in Apple Music allows you to invite friends to join your playlist and everyone can add, reorder, and remove songs.
- Emoji reactions can be added to any track in a collaborative playlist in Apple Music.
- Apple Care & Warranty in Settings shows your coverage for all devices signed in with your Apple ID.
Besides macOS 14.4 with these five features, Apple is also releasing the public versions of iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, watchOS 10.4, tvOS 17.4, and visionOS 1.1.
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