Top Five Features in macOS Sonoma 14.2

[MacRumors]

When Apple releases new software, iOS updates tend to get most of the attention, and there are sometimes useful new features in Mac updates that go under the radar. That's the case with macOS Sonoma 14.2. It doesn't have flashy features like the Journal app that came in iOS 17.2, but there are a number of useful improvements that make it worth installing.

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We've rounded up five of the best features that are included in macOS Sonoma 14.2.

• Messages - The Messages app includes a catch-up arrow that lets you jump to the first unread message in a conversation, plus there is an option to add a sticker to a message from the tapback interface. That makes it quicker to add non-emoji reactions during chats on the Mac.
• PDF AutoFill - AutoFill recognizes key fields in PDFs and other documents so you can fill them out quick. It will recognize addresses, phone numbers, and similar data that can be filled from the Contacts app.
• Weather Widgets - There are several new Weather widgets that can be added to the Mac's desktop. Options include next-hour precipitation, daily forecast, sunrise and sunset, Air Quality, Feels Like, and wind speed.
• Multiple Timer Support - The Clock app on the Mac supports multiple timers that are able to run simultaneously. There are also timer presets for quickly setting a timer.
• Shazam Improvements - With a Shazam Music Recognition update, you can Shazam songs on Mac even when you're wearing your AirPods.

For more on what's new in macOS Sonoma 14.2, make sure to watch our full video up above.

Article Link: Top Five Features in macOS Sonoma 14.2

 

[TheGenerous]

I''l wait for iJustine's review

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

shazam integration is nice

 

[ignatius345]

Whoof. That timer interface is incredibly ugly. I had assumed we'd get a nice little Notification Center window or something.

It's kind of a drag how many apps come over to from iOS to the Mac looking like they're just barely warmed over and not at all designed for the Mac.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Ouch. So basically, you mean what is now old on iOS.

I miss the days when the Mac was its own operating system and not second fiddle to iOS.

 

[BornAgainMac]

So no journal app for the Mac.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Sonoma works fine for me. I don't need a lot of extra fluff.

 

[steve333]

I just want Facebook to work normally again, always having to refresh to get the page up and down fucntion, have to refresh many times when a page doesn't load. Freaking annoying

 

[StudioG]

I've stayed on Ventura 13.3, scared to upgrade because of the various problems people have reported (like flickering, disconnecting after sleep, etc.) with LG monitors attached via USB-C. I have an LG 27UP850-W on my M2 Pro Mac mini and I wonder if it's safe yet?

 

[jz0309]

I''l wait for iJustine's review

Tell us how the unboxing is going

 

[dzankizakon]

So no journal app for the Mac.

That's what it occurred to me too, but it makes sense when you think about it. iPhone is the only device that definitely contains all data about your day, the location history, call history, messages and so on. A Mac can possibly contain some of that but not everything. Also, if you want to make journaling a habit, your phone is the right device to do it with because it's always with you.

 

[displayblock]

For more on what's new in macOS Sonoma 14.2, make sure to watch our full video up above.

I watched the video for more, but it was the same exact feature list. Is there supposed to be more in the video?

 

[CLS9]

• Messages - The Messages app includes a catch-up arrow that lets you jump to the first unread message in a conversation....

I can't find any arrows.

 

[CLS9]

So no journal app for the Mac.

I'm just going to continue using Notes. At least it's available on all my computers and devices and does pretty much the same thing.

 

[very-random-username]

OK, so in macOS 14.2 they changed the default notification tone to the very quiet one in iOS 17 and offered no way to change it back, while iOS 17.2, released on the same day, adds that. The hilarity of this is just... beyond me.

 

[SGSfanboy]

I wasn't planning on journaling but it would have been more conducive to put it on a device with a keyboard.

 

[jjrtiger]

And the post-aqua interface turns 9 years old year. Come on, Apple.

 

[ChrisA]

That's what it occurred to me too, but it makes sense when you think about it. iPhone is the only device that definitely contains all data about your day, the location history, call history, messages and so on. A Mac can possibly contain some of that but not everything. Also, if you want to make journaling a habit, your phone is the right device to do it with because it's always with you.

All the data on the Mac gets synced to iCloud.

Also, most(?) iPad apps work on the AS mac. Even if they don't say they will, many times I find they do run on my M2-Pro based mac.

 

[Phil A.]

For me, the biggest improvement this update has brought is the Touch ID on my Magic Keyboard is finally working again without having to leave the keyboard plugged in all the time!

It may well stop again but for now I’m going to enjoy using an expensive accessory working reliably for the first time in about a year

 

[swiftapplefan]

It feels sad that these things are the major features of a new update of a major operating system.

Still, we can’t expect a whole new overhaul every year.

 

[svish]

Changes to weather widgets are good. Also nice to have option to turn on multiple timers.

 

[jgrove]

Top features also include :

Broken USB tethering for photographers using Lightroom and Capture One
Bug in Scroller SDK which renders some applications unusable

but a part from that it’s a success 🙄

 

[Samuel MacBird]

It's interesting how these small app updates count as OS update. Meh.

 

[StoneJack]

I installed 14.2 and did not notice anything different. Might as well not bother.

 

[carlsson]

OK, so in macOS 14.2 they changed the default notification tone to the very quiet one in iOS 17 and offered no way to change it back, while iOS 17.2, released on the same day, adds that. The hilarity of this is just... beyond me.

…or maybe just nice to see that they actually can change their minds – Something that's not so common these days.