Apple Releases macOS Sonoma 14.4

[MacRumors]

Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sonoma operating system that launched last September. macOS Sonoma 14.4 comes over a month after macOS Sonoma 14.3, an update that brought collaborative Apple Music playlists.

The ‌‌‌‌macOS Sonoma‌‌ 14.4‌ update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.5 release for those who are still running macOS Ventura and a macOS 12.7.4 release for those who have macOS Monterey installed.

With macOS Sonoma 14.4, Apple is introducing new emoji characters and adding support for reading Podcast Episode text in full with search support. There are new features for Business Updates in Messages, along with a toggle for showing only icons for websites in the Safari Favorites Bar. Apple's release notes for the update are below.

macOS Sonoma 14.4 introduces new emoji as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.

Emoji
- New mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji are now available in emoji keyboard
- 18 people and body emoji support facing the opposite direction

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
- 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 VoiceOver
- Business Updates in Messages for Business let you get updates that you've opted into, like order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts or other transactions from trusted businesses
- Safari Favorites Bar adds an option to show only icons for websites

Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.

For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

More information on the features that have been introduced in macOS Sonoma to date can be found in our macOS Sonoma roundup.


Article Link: Apple Releases macOS Sonoma 14.4

 

[Realityck]

Only 3 days later then the 14.4 RC. This is quite different than usual. Apple must want to synchronize the entire OS suite to a new beta cycle soon.

 

[jz0309]

Only 3 days later then the 14.4 RC. This is quite different than usual. Apple must want to synchronize the entire OS suite to a new beta cycle soon.

iOS 17.4 had to be release before the DMA deadline, I think that threw the cycle off ...

 

[Realityck]

Released today

• macOS 14.4 (23E214) - March 7, 2024
• tvOS 17.4 (21L227) - March 7, 2024
• visionOS 1.1 (21O211) - March 7, 2024
• watchOS 10.4 (21T216) - March 7, 2024

 

[AAPLGeek]

Once again, emojis take the lead on release notes.

Apple should just rebrand macOS to toyOS now, the transformation is nearly done.

 

[iSuzan]

Released today

• macOS 14.4 (23E214) - March 7, 2024
• tvOS 17.4 (21L227) - March 7, 2024
• visionOS 1.1 (21O211) - March 7, 2024
• watchOS 10.4 (21T216) - March 7, 2024

Oh.. so MacOS has the same build number as the RC?

 

[Realityck]

Oh.. so MacOS has the same build number as the RC?

Yes
Additional info
macOS 14.4 RC (23E214) - > public release 14.4 (23E214)

• Safari Version 17.4 (19618.1.15.11.12)
• System Firmware Version: 10151.101.3 (M1 based Macs)
• Darwin Kernel Version 23.4.0: Wed Feb 21 21:44:06 PST 2024; root:xnu-10063.101.15~2/RELEASE_ARM64_T8103 arm64

* Apple Music/TV still 1.4.4.48

 

[Fuzzball84]

Once again, emojis take the lead on release notes.

Apple should just rebrand macOS to toyOS now, the transformation is nearly done.

fpacOS... Fisher Price Activity Center Operating System

Critical Update: New Emojis added, Emoji security flaw patched, Emoji designs updated, Emoji desktop enabled

 

[Asbow]

Are updates to Messages and Podcasts really worthy mentions. These are apps that should be separate downloadable updates.

 

[gluckett]

Only 3 days later then the 14.4 RC. This is quite different than usual. Apple must want to synchronize the entire OS suite to a new beta cycle soon.

It also makes sense considering the new Macbook Airs are officially available tomorrow.

 

[chrisone]

Anyone know if/how we can sort photos and videos by size if we use the Photo app? It’s very strange that the desktop photo app doesn’t support this? Just for Apple to make sure you have those large files to use space in iCloud?

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Also finally adds the new alert sounds to the timer in the “Clock” app
What was going on with those alert sounds.
They shipped with iOS 17.0, but couldn’t have shipped with macOS 14.0?
And even when they were finally added in 14.1, they were still missing from the Clock app for another six months.

 

[AlmightyKang]

Once again, emojis take the lead on release notes.

Apple should just rebrand macOS to toyOS now, the transformation is nearly done.

I think this just indicates that the product is just done and complete.

 

[kagharaht]

Apple is so obsessed with Emojis LOL Anyway here is hoping for a better Magic Keyboard 2 experience and less stutter, lag and sudden jump!

 

[Kimchi_Cowboy]

I think this just indicates that the product is just done and complete.

Not if you work enterprise. Sonoma has been a mess.

 

[H. Flower]

What is their deal with emojis? Seriously.

 

[vegetassj4]

Apple releases new emoji for the 100th time

 

[coffeemilktea]

I'm so glad my Mac is finally getting the update; not being able to see the new emojis in chats was giving me so much anxiety. Is this what being a green bubble feels like?

 

[Fuzzball84]

I think this just indicates that the product is just done and complete.

Just done is not good enough for a Prosumer company... although increasingly with all sorts of companies... just done, is good enough.

Games, Cars, Laptops.... Everything.

You can always send out an update post consumer release. That wasn't really possible not that long ago... and would result in expensive recalls and defective products... but now it's the normal, sadly.

....We need the product released next month... think of the quarterly. But it's not finished, it's not ready. Just get it out... we can update it/patch it later...

I don't care about the customer, I care about my KPI's my KPI's that spreadsheet needs to be green... My KPI's. The spreadsheets need to be good, not the product.

 

[H. Flower]

I think this just indicates that the product is just done and complete.

That remains to be seen : Mac Pro users are still experiencing a major bug.

 

[Fuzzball84]

What is their deal with emojis? Seriously.

I have no idea... I haven't seen anyone using these additional emoji they keep adding over the years.. I think everyone stuck with the regular, basic ones.

Maybe it's for the under 16 customers of MacOS?

 

[antiprotest]

Not very useful but whatever.

 

[bpb]

Not if you work enterprise. Sonoma has been a mess.

I suppose it dependson what enterprise.. I've been working just fine with all recent versions of macOS in our office. What issues are causing the mess for you?

 

[H. Flower]

I have no idea... I haven't seen anyone using these additional emoji they keep adding over the years.. I think everyone stuck with the regular, basic ones.

Maybe it's for the under 16 customers of MacOS?

Yeah, I don't understand who the audience is supposed to be for this. I guess they know something we don't.

 

[Realityck]

It also makes sense considering the new Macbook Airs are officially available tomorrow.

per Stuipdboy1000

The new MBA ships with a special build of 14.3 (23D2057).