macOS Ventura Tidbits: 'About This Mac' Redesigned, New Game Controller Menu, Background Sounds, and More

[MacRumors]

Apple seeded the first beta of macOS Ventura to developers yesterday for testing, and early adopters are beginning to discover smaller changes in the update. We've rounded up some of the more notable macOS Ventura tidbits that we have uncovered below.

"About This Mac" Redesigned

Apple has simplified the About This Mac window on macOS Ventura. The window still lists a Mac's type of processor, amount of memory, serial number, and the macOS version installed, but all other system information has been migrated to the System Settings app, which is a redesigned and renamed version of the former System Preferences app.

Clicking on the "More Info" button at the bottom of About This Mac opens the General menu of System Settings, which itself contains a "System Report" button that leads to a more advanced overview of a Mac's hardware, software, networking, and more.

Game Controller Menu

Speaking of System Settings, there is a new game controller menu in the app for managing game controllers connected to a Mac. The menu allows macOS Ventura users to map a controller's buttons and thumbsticks to a Mac's keyboard, adjust haptic feedback levels, create profiles with presets for multiple controllers, and more.

macOS Ventura features newly added support for some of the most popular racing wheels, pedals, and shifters for use in racing games on the Mac, including Logitech's G920 and G29 racing wheels, according to Apple's developer website. Apple also says that macOS Ventura supports many additional Bluetooth and USB game controllers, with users discovering that this includes the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons and Pro Controller.

Background Sounds

macOS Ventura brings preinstalled background sounds to the Mac. Apple says this feature allows calming sounds, such as ocean or rain, to mask unwanted environmental noise and help minimize distractions. The background sounds feature first launched on the iPhone and iPad with the release of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 last year.

Background sounds on the Mac can be turned on in the System Settings app under Accessibility > Audio. In this menu, you can choose which background sound to play, adjust the background sound volume separate from system volume, and optionally turn off background sounds when your Mac is asleep or in screensaver mode.

Other Features and Tidbits

• macOS Ventura adds Clock and Weather apps to the Mac.
• In the Photos app, the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums are now locked by default and can be unlocked using your Mac's password or Touch ID.
• Playlists have improved sorting options in the Music app.
• Siri has received a slight redesign with a focus on simplicity and "more focused" results.

macOS Ventura will be released to all users in the fall — likely around October. Apple said a public beta will be available starting in July.

Image Sources: MacRumors Forums and Reddit

Article Link: macOS Ventura Tidbits: 'About This Mac' Redesigned, New Game Controller Menu, Background Sounds, and More

 

[ct2k7]

I prefer the old 'About this Mac'

 

[ruka.snow]

I prefer the old 'About this Mac'

The new one seems perfect for M series. They don’t have as many different specs to show and it isn’t something you look at daily or even weekly.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Does it look like "True Tone" is on or am I tripping? The screen looks too yellow.

 

[navaira]

Have they done anything with the notifications, especially reminders? That's such an UX fail.

I like what I'm seeing so far.

 

[jav6454]

Some of these reskins are pointless.

 

[GizmoDVD]

big update!

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Does it look like "True Tone" is on or am I tripping? The screen looks too yellow.

Probably just the desktop color showing through

 

[nvmls]

Does it look like "True Tone" is on or am I tripping? The screen looks too yellow.

It's the shrooms.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Probably just the desktop color showing through

Does the color changes to hue cool or something when you change the desktop?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Don't understand why they put background sounds in Accessibility. You don't need to have additional needs in order to benefit from some choice of background noise, they should have put into Control Centre (unless it's been overlooked).

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Does the color changes to hue cool or something when you change the desktop?

The color of the desktop bleeds through and affects the windows a bit. I believe this has been a thing since Big Sur? It might’ve been Monterey, though.

 

[teak421]

I REALLY like the look of the new system prefs... They are uniting all of their OS's, smart.

 

[Kylo83]

What exactly is new? Did this take 5min to make

 

[SpotOnT]

So how do we see the macOS build number?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

They are uniting all of their OS's, smart.

Smart because... they're uniting?

 

[CarAnalogy]

I REALLY like the look of the new system prefs... They are uniting all of their OS's, smart.

It’s definitely been a long time coming. I would like to see a multi window version. Ironic that Microsoft copied Apple’s System preferences for Windows 10, but as usual only the worst parts.

 

[funkypepper]

Those switches look awful. Bring back the checkboxes! This is even against the Apple's own HIG.

 

[boston04and07]

Is there an easier way to start background noises than going into settings? I like having the control center shortcut on my iPhone and iPad for this. Is that an option on the Mac, or maybe Siri?

 

[metrocon]

It's giving me some old-school OS X vibes...

 

[CarAnalogy]

So how do we see the macOS build number?

I don’t think the real System Information app is going anywhere. Article indicates it’s still just one more click away.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Is there an easier way to start background noises than going into settings? I like having the control center shortcut on my iPhone and iPad for this. Is that an option on the Mac, or maybe Siri?

I’m not on the beta but considering how it works on iOS and how much parity they are at these days, if it’s not something you can add to Control Center I will be shocked.

Of course Dark Noise also exists as a universal purchase.

 

[boston04and07]

I’m not on the beta but considering how it works on iOS and how much parity they are at these days, if it’s not something you can add to Control Center I will be shocked.

Of course Dark Noise also exists as a universal purchase.

Agreed, hopefully it’ll be as easy on the Mac. And I have looked at Dark Noise but honestly all I want is occasional rain and ocean sounds to drown out the outside noise, so this seems like a much simpler option!

 

[derekamoss]

It’s definitely been a long time coming. I would like to see a multi window version. Ironic that Microsoft copied Apple’s System preferences for Windows 10, but as usual only the worst parts.

And in windows 11 the settings app is like Ventura's. Except it came out like 8 months ago.... Now THATS ironic!

 

[Devnul0]

In an iOS 15 article from last year, it said “Once you've downloaded the background sounds you can also add the Hearing item to Control Center for quicker access to them (Settings -> Control Center).” Perhaps the same is or will be true on the Mac side? Try using the feature then check out Control Center…