The final version of macOS Monterey is finally available! – MacGeneration

The final version of macOS Monterey is now available for download at the Mac App Store, five months after the launch of the first developer beta. It is therefore time for the general public to discover the novelties concocted by Apple for the Macs, although they have undergone a slimming cure as the beta progresses!

First of all and especially before installing macOS Monterey, it is important to make a backup of your data. It would be very unfortunate to turn this feast day into a nightmare… Second thing which is certainly not obligatory but which will be of use to you: buy our new book MacOS Monterey Guide ! In addition it is at a friendly price for a few more days …

Mac Safe # 1: Save, dammit!

If you are dependent on specific software, check with the publisher or their social networks to find out if the application is compatible with Monterey before you jump into the large installation! We’re not just a few days away, and then there’s always the risk of a last-minute bug (in other words: let others wipe the plasters ?).

Applications suitable for macOS Monterey are on the rise

Casually, macOS Monterey contains its share of new features, big and small: a redesign (prevented) for Safari, quick notes, FaceTime calls that open to all platforms, the AirPlay receiver, Concentration mode to limit notifications, privacy features for Mail, the new Shortcuts app, and most importantly “Live Text” which “reads” text in photos.

Several other highly anticipated features, such as SharePlay and Universal Control, will not be present in this final version when others (Private Relay) are in beta. All the same, there is already plenty to keep those who love new things busy!

Discover the main new features of macOS Monterey

Less functions for Intel Macs

Like macOS Big Sur before it, Monterey contains features unique to Mac M1:

• “Dictation on the device” function processed locally on the machine and “Continuous Dictation” which allows you to dictate text of any length without time limit;
• FaceTime’s Portrait mode which blurs the background behind the user;
• spatial audio in FaceTime;
• the interactive 3D globe of Plans;
• 3D display of environments in a handful of cities in Maps.

The capture function for create 3D objects from 2D image requires a Mac M1 or an Intel Mac with 16 GB of RAM and 4 GB of VRAM minimum. In FaceTime, “Wide Spectrum” and “Voice Isolation” modes are available on 2018 or newer Mac M1 or Intel Macs. Power Saving Mode is available on MacBook (early 2016 and newer) and MacBook Pro (early 2016 and newer).

Finally, and it was the good news of summer, “Live Text” is finally also available on all Intel Macs compatible with Monterey.

Macs compatible with macOS Monterey

You can install macOS Monterey (macOS 12.0.1) on the following Macs:

• iMac (late 2015 and newer);
• iMac Pro (2017);
• Mac Pro (late 2013 and newer);
• Mac mini (late 2014 and newer);
• MacBook Air (early 2015 and newer);
• MacBook (early 2016 and newer);
• MacBook Pro (early 2015 and newer).

macOS Monterey is less open than its predecessor, macOS Big Sur. The new operating system leaves the mid-2013 MacBook, late 2013 MacBook Pro, mid-2014 iMac, and early 2015 MacBook on the shelf. However, it is still possible, at the cost of a few hacks, to install Monterey on Macs that already have a lot of bottles! Read I installed macOS Monterey on my discontinued Apple MacBook Pro from 2014.

macOS Monterey (macOS 12.0.1): Release Notes

FaceTime

• With spatial audio, each voice seems to be coming from where the person is on the screen during a group FaceTime call.
• “Voice isolation” eliminates background noise to make your voice stand out.
• “Wide spectrum” lets you hear every ambient sound during the call.
• Portrait mode focuses attention on you by blurring the background on Macs with the M1 chip.
• The grid layout tilts everyone and highlights the person speaking.
• FaceTime links allow you to invite friends to join a call from Apple, Android, or Windows devices.

Messages

• “Shared with you” displays content shared through Messages in your Mac apps.
• New “Shared with you” section in Photos, Safari, Podcasts and the TV app.
• If you receive multiple photos, they appear as collages or stacks in Messages.

Safari

• Tab groups let you save and organize your tabs, and sync them across all your devices.
• Smart Tracking Prevention prevents trackers from seeing your IP address.
• The compact tab bar lets you show more content on the screen.

Concentration

• Concentration automatically hides notifications based on your activity.
• Customize a focus mode for work, video games, reading, and more.
• Activation of Concentration is synchronized on all your Apple devices.
• Your status tells your contacts that your notifications are hidden.

Quick Note and Notes

• “Quick Note” allows you to take notes in an app or on a website and easily consult them later.
• Tags help you quickly organize your notes by subject and find them easily.
• Mentions are used to alert others to important changes to your shared notes.
• The Activity view shows who recently edited a shared note.

AirPlay on Mac

• “AirPlay on Mac” lets you share content from your iPhone or iPad directly to your Mac.
• Listen to music using your Mac as an AirPlay speaker.

Live Text

• “Live Text” allows you to interact with text in photos system-wide.
• Copy, translate and get more information about the text that appears in photos.

Shortcuts

• New app to automate your daily tasks and get them done faster.
• Gallery with predefined shortcuts to add and run system-wide.
• Shortcut editor to create custom shortcuts for your own tasks.
• Ability to automatically convert Automator processes into shortcuts.

Plans

• Interactive 3D globe with more detailed views of mountains, oceans and more on Macs with the M1 chip.
• Detailed maps of cities with height differences, trees, buildings, monuments and more on Macs with the M1 chip.

Confidentiality

• “Privacy Protection in Mail” prevents senders from tracking your activities in Mail.
• Record indicator in Control Center for apps that access your mic.

iCloud +

• ICloud Private Relay (Beta) prevents businesses from building a detailed profile of your browsing activity in Safari.
• “Hide my email address” creates unique, random email addresses that link to your inbox.