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Second macOS Sonoma Public Beta and Revised Developer Beta Now Available

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Apple today provided the second beta of the upcoming macOS Sonoma update to its public beta testing group, allowing non-developers to test the new operating system ahead of its fall launch. The new beta comes a little over two weeks after Apple released the first beta.

macos-sonoma-feature-purple-green.jpg

In addition to the new public beta, Apple has also released a revised version of the fourth developer beta, presumably to address issues that were resulting in installation problems for some users following last week's developer release.

Public beta testers can download the macOS 14 Sonoma update from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after signing up on Apple's beta testing website and opting into the public beta under the Beta Updates section.

macOS Sonoma introduces interactive widgets for the desktop, making widgets more useful and more prominent. You can even use your iPhone widgets on your Mac's desktop through a new Continuity feature.

There are updated screensavers that are similar to the high-resolution animated screensavers available on the Apple TV, and for video calls and presenting, there's a Presenter Overlay option that lets you move, walk, and talk in front of content you're sharing from your Mac.

Safari supports web apps so you can add your favorite websites to your Dock, plus there are new Profiles to separate your work browsing and personal browsing. iCloud Keychain supports sharing passwords with others, and private browsing windows are locked when they are not in use.

Enhanced AutoFill is available for PDFs so you can quickly fill in information like names, addresses, and emails, plus users can collaborate on PDFs and see real-time updates through the Notes app.

For more on what's new in macOS Sonoma, including a new Game mode, we have a detailed macOS Sonoma roundup that highlights all of the features in the update.

Article Link: Second macOS Sonoma Public Beta and Revised Developer Beta Now Available
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/07/31/second-macos-sonoma-public-beta/
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The only public beta I did not yet install is Sonoma. If I install Sonoma on my M1 mini the app SoundSource will stop working...until Rogue Ameoba gets off their butts and updates it for Sonoma which will likely be when the general populous version is released. Rogue Ameoba sucks, hip hip hooray \o/
 
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anthogag said:
The only public beta I did not yet install is Sonoma. If I install Sonoma on my M1 mini the app SoundSource will stop working...until Rogue Ameoba gets off their butts and updates it for Sonoma which will likely be when the general populous version is released. Rogue Ameoba sucks, hip hip hooray \o/
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Rogue Amoeba is the slowest developer. To be fair to them though, they do have to use kernels that could cause problems.
 
Just installed it on my M1 Pro 14-inch MBP, and everything is working fine. Downloading and installation was completed in 25 minutes or so. I personally did not have issues with the first Beta 4 iteration, and this one seems to be just as stable and snappy.
 
newton4000 said:
Rogue Amoeba is the slowest developer. To be fair to them though, they do have to use kernels that could cause problems.
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I have no connection to Rogue Amoeba except as a customer, but I think the comment stating that they suck is immature and out of line. (And by the way, it's spelled "populace," not "populous.") I look forward to SoundSource working again too, but no one is forcing any of us to install a beta operating system, and Rogue's position about not releasing SoundSource updates until MacOS releases are final has been clear, consistent, and the same for years now, so it's not like you didn't know.

And yes, they probably have good technical reasons, since some of their other software (i.e. Fission) works on beta OS releases without problems, after issuing a warning.
 
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Johnnyangel said:
I have no connection to Rogue Amoeba except as a customer, but I think the comment stating that they suck is immature and out of line. (And by the way, it's spelled "populace," not "populous.") I look forward to SoundSource working again too, but no one is forcing any of us to install a beta operating system, and Rogue's position about not releasing SoundSource updates until MacOS releases are final has been clear, consistent, and the same for years now, so it's not like you didn't know.

And yes, they probably have good technical reasons, since some of their other software (i.e. Fission) works on beta OS releases without problems, after issuing a warning.
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They announced a couple years ago, they'd start doing beta test builds actually
 
srbNYC said:
I get California time when I start up but once I login it, adjust to me in New York.
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Yeah once I log in it’s the correct time. I’m in the uk. So I’m getting California time too. Is there anyway to change it?
 
Johnnyangel said:
I have no connection to Rogue Amoeba except as a customer, but I think the comment stating that they suck is immature and out of line. (And by the way, it's spelled "populace," not "populous.") I look forward to SoundSource working again too, but no one is forcing any of us to install a beta operating system, and Rogue's position about not releasing SoundSource updates until MacOS releases are final has been clear, consistent, and the same for years now, so it's not like you didn't know.

And yes, they probably have good technical reasons, since some of their other software (i.e. Fission) works on beta OS releases without problems, after issuing a warning.
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I didn't say that and was trying to provide a more balanced perspective. They certainly are transparent but I do think they could provide earlier betas. But they are transparent about this and consistent and kernels can cause big issues.
 
I have updated from Public Beta 1 to Public Beta 2 for macOS, iPadOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and the HomePod software without issues. The only exception was the HomePod update which was initially not offered, then I was told it was available but when I went to install it it said it wasn't, then it finally let me install it after a few hours. Installs were otherwise very quick and simple. I don't notice any differences yet.

nikhsub1 said:
Downloading on my 15" M2 Air which borked the first beta 4 install and I had to restore back to beta 3. Hopefully Apple fixed this disaster.
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I'm very curious if it works now. Let us know? This is the updated Developer Beta 4 you'd be trying?
 
Luna Murasaki said:
I have updated from Public Beta 1 to Public Beta 2 for macOS, iPadOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and the HomePod software without issues. The only exception was the HomePod update which was initially not offered, then I was told it was available but when I went to install it it said it wasn't, then it finally let me install it after a few hours. Installs were otherwise very quick and simple. I don't notice any differences yet.


I'm very curious if it works now. Let us know? This is the updated Developer Beta 4 you'd be trying?
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Yes it updated fine now.
 
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