Now, let’s dive into all the new features in MacOS Monterey.
FaceTime upgrade
MacOS Monterey makes video calls with the new picture and audio features in FaceTime (most of which can be accessed through the Control Center in the upper-right corner of the menu bar). For example, you can apply Portrait mode to your calls — add a background blur to hide cluttered rooms. The new grid view also makes it easier to see everyone on the call at once. More importantly, you can invite your friends with Android or Windows devices to join the call by sending them a link. They will need to use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
For audio, you can switch between Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes. Voice isolation works best when you’re in a noisier environment because it tries to block most of that out. Wide Spectrum, on the other hand, picks up all the noise in your environment. That can be helpful if the whole family is celebrating Grandma’s birthday.
If you have an M1-enabled MacBook and any current-generation AirPods, you can also take advantage of Apple’s new spatial audio. During group FaceTime calls, you’ll hear people’s voices based on their location on the on-screen grid; It’s Apple’s attempt to make calls sound more natural, as if people were in the room with you.
Direct Text
If you have iOS 15 or iPadOS 15, you may already be familiar with Live Text. Using the rear cameras on those devices, you can highlight and copy text through the viewfinder. Is there text in a photo? Just select it with your finger. You can then paste this text into apps like Notes and iMessage. Whenever it recognizes a phone number or address, it gives you the option to call that number or enter the address into Maps. This is available in MacOS now. It doesn’t work with the front-facing camera on your Mac, but you can still use it to copy text in a photo and paste it elsewhere. It will also recognize phone numbers and websites.
Concentration mode
Are you easily distracted? Apple’s new Focus mode lets you create profiles that limit specific notifications and alerts on your Mac. You have the option to choose from presets — Do Not Disturb, Commute, Drive, Personal, Sleep, and Work — or add a whole new profile for hobbies like reading or gaming . There’s also a setting that automatically lets people know in iMessage when you have Focused mode on (to prevent them from texting you). Once you turn on Focus, it will also activate on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch (though you can turn the feature off if you want). You can read more about how to use it here.
Shortcuts
Initially available in iOS and iPadOS 13, Shortcut application Now available on Mac. You can use pre-installed shortcuts like “Rest” or “Shazam Shortcuts,” or access the shortcuts you’ve created on your iPhone and iPad. For example, I can now access the “Turn off TV” shortcut for my Apple TV in the room and the “Heat kettle to 100 degrees Celsius” shortcut for my smart kettle directly on my MacBook. You can also create new keyboard shortcuts for Mac Workflow through the desktop editor.
iCloud +
If you have an iCloud subscription, you’ve been upgraded to iCloud+ at no additional cost. This service gives you access to Hide My Email (generates a write-down email address to limit spam in your inbox) and expanded HomeKit Secure Video support. It also includes iCloud Private Relay (it’s currently in beta, with a final version coming soon)—a feature that encrypts your browsing history in Safari to keep your data safe, similarly similar to a virtual private network.
Shared with you
If your friends and family tend to send you lots of links and photos throughout the week, this feature will help keep it all organized. When you open apps like Messages, Photos, Safari, Apple Music, and Apple News, you’ll see a designated location called Shared With You. That’s where all content sent to you will appear, complete with the contact name of the person who sent it. That way, you can read the long article Dad sends after work or review photos of your grandchildren over the weekend.
Notebook
With the handy Quick Notes feature, accessing the Notes app just got a whole lot easier. Just move your cursor to the bottom right corner or hold the Globe + Q keys to open Quick Notes. You can drop in links, photos, and more. It’s great to quickly jot something down. MacOS Monterey is also compatible with the new collaborative note-taking feature introduced in iOS and iPadOS 15. Similar to Google Docs, you can add people to a specific note, where they can edit and act. changes (which you can see in real time).
Safari tab group
Are you emotionally attached to your tabs? This is a feature for you. You can create Tab Groups that not only organize all those open tabs, but also make your Safari windows look cleaner. Using the Tab Groups button, you can name each group based on categories like Shopping or Work, and then add tabs to each group. It syncs across all of your Apple devices, so you’ll always have your Tab Groups at your disposal.
