Apple has just unveiled macOS Sonoma, the latest version of its desktop operating system, onstage at WWDC 2023. The headline features are support for widgets on the desktop, as well as new moving screensavers that can also serve as your wallpaper. Based on Apple’s release strategy in previous years, it should be available in developer beta imminently as a public beta in the coming weeks. General availability is expected later this year.

Widgets are designed to fade into the background when you open a window, and the Mac can access widgets from an iPhone if a device is one the same Wi-Fi network. Widgets are also interactive, with one demo showing how you can control a connected vehicle from the desktop widget.

There’s also a new “Game mode” for Mac. Apple says the mode works with all games available on the Mac, with reduced audio latency for AirPods and double the Bluetooth sampling rate when using Xbox and PlayStation controllers with Macs. To affirm its commitment to gaming on the Mac, Apple had game developer Hideo Kojima appear during its stream to announce that Death Stranding Director’s Cut will be coming to MacOS.

Reports previously indicated that 2023 will see Apple avoid making major changes to the Mac’s operating system. Last year’s headline feature was Stage Manager, a new way of organizing open windows that also came to the iPad with iPadOS 16. Other new additions included the ability to hand off FaceTime calls between iPhones and Macs, use the iPhone’s camera as a Mac webcam, and support passkeys.

Developing… check out our live blog for the latest details.

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