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Apple’s macOS Ventura will launch in Fall 2022, and owners of Intel Macs won’t be able to use some features. Here’s what’s not coming for Intel Macs, and what’s coming later for Apple Silicon.
Major features coming to Mac computers include Stage Manager, Continuity Camera, and Passkeys.
Stage Manager automatically organizes open apps and windows. Windows can be grouped, making it easy to work on projects. It works in tandem with Mission Control and Spaces, other macOS window features.
Continuity Camera improves videography by allowing iPhones to act as a webcam for the Mac. It works seamlessly and wirelessly, using the Ultra Wide camera to enhance the video feed and show a person’s desktop if desired.
Passkeys are an important feature as it promises to change how people access their online accounts. It replaces passwords with biometrics using Touch ID and Face ID, or QR codes on a non-Apple operating system.
These Mac models cannot upgrade to macOS Ventura:
- 2013 Mac Pro
- Mac mini from 2014
- 2015-2017 MacBook Pro
- 2015-2016 iMac
- 2016 MacBook
2013 Mac Pro
Meanwhile, the following Macs can upgrade:
- iMac from 2017 or later
- 2017 iMac Pro
- MacBook from 2017 or later
- MacBook Pro from 2017 or later
- 2018 or later Mac mini
- 2018 or later MacBook Air
- 2019 or later Mac Pro
- MacStudio
The developer beta for macOS Ventura is available to install now, and the public beta will be released sometime in July.
We’ve reviewed the beta here and have an overall positive view of the upcoming OS.
But there are some concerns, most notably how Intel Mac owners are being barred from certain features. There are also some features that are not included in macOS Ventura 13.0.
Features only for Apple Silicon
This year’s minimum device requirements have left more Macs in the dust than ever before as Apple strives to complete the transition to its chips.
When Apple’s first chip — the M1 — was announced, CEO Tim Cook said the plan was to have all Macs running Apple silicon by the end of 2022.
Intel chips have lived in Mac computers since the 2005 transition of Apple’s chip architecture, known as PowerPC.
But must ride like the devil, and with its own silicon, Apple has so far surpassed Intel in the consumer chip market.
Several features in macOS Ventura are too powerful, according to Apple. These include Live Captions, Reference Mode, and Emoji dictation.
live subtitles
Live Captions is a new accessibility tool for all audio content. This includes FaceTime, Type to Speak on calls, Text Checker to support proofreading for VoiceOver users, and more.
Aside from Apple silicone Macs, this feature will be available to users in Canada and the US with iPhone 11 and newer, as well as iPad with A12 Bionic and later.
The A12 Bionic iPad is the eighth-generation model that Apple released in 2018.
Emoji Dictation
This feature allows a person to insert emojis into a conversation using dictation. During WWDC 2022, the Apple presenter gave a preview on his iPhone, saying “mindblown emoji” and it appeared in the text field.
Emoji on Mac
It requires downloading speech models to the device, just like users can do with Siri.
Supported languages are Cantonese, English, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
Reference mode with sidecar
Sidecar allows Mac owners to integrate their iPad into the workflow. The iPad can act as a secondary display or digital input device for the Mac. We’ve found the best Sidecar apps to use here.
Reference mode allows an iPad Pro to be used as a secondary reference screen for an Apple silicone Mac.
It is intended for photography and videography professionals who perform color correction and composition.
Mac computers using reference mode in Sidecar
In the iPadOS 16 announcement, Apple specifically mentions the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Liquid Retina XDR display for the reference mode. This model offers the best color accuracy.
Apple plans to complete the switch to chips in all Macs by 2022. The last Mac to need Apple Silicon is the Mac Pro.
The new edition is expected to be smaller than the 2019 Mac Pro with higher core chips such as 20 to 40 cores.
A final Mac Pro with an Intel chip could also be released, and rumors predict a Xeon W-3300 series CPU.
Features not available to anyone at the launch of macOS Ventura
Web Push, a feature that allows web apps to provide native-like push notifications, will be available in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura. But it won’t arrive for one of the three until sometime in 2023.
Apple’s New Freeform App
Using APIs and other technology in the system, websites can deliver push notifications to people after they sign up by clicking a button. It’s a step closer to bridging the gap between web apps and native apps that will be good for the software ecosystem.
Apple has announced that it is working on a new app called Freeform. It’s the company’s take on digital whiteboards, and it may not launch with the first macOS Ventura release. It’s currently in beta and Apple says “later this year” for launch.
Freeform is a collaboration tool that allows teams of people to collaborate on a project. Brainstorming sessions, video storyboards, and developing a circular pizza box can all benefit from this app.
It will be an excellent tool for Apple Pencil owners with easy access to sketching and handwriting.
Despite delays and no-shows, macOS Ventura is poised to be a good release for most customers.
Apple’s first custom chip, the M1
Intel Macs are still capable devices, even if they don’t receive certain features. Of these three, Live Captions and Reference Mode will have a greater impact on the Apple Silicon upgrade decision.
Getting a transcript of conversations and improving workflows for those who need a second monitor are important enough for some people. For others, upgrading to a newer Mac for these features probably isn’t necessary.
Apple’s devices are known for their longevity. On the iOS side, for example, the iPhone 6 got software updates for seven years after its initial release before Apple dropped the device for iOS 16. AppleInsider staffer only recently retired a 2010 Mac Pro.