What's New in macOS Sequoia 15.1: Apple Intelligence and Key Feature Updates

Apple Rolls Out macOS Sequoia 15.1 with Debut Apple Intelligence Features and Key Upgrades

Today, Apple has officially released macOS Sequoia 15.1, the latest update for Mac users, introducing the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence features along with other enhancements that boost usability across the system.

Here’s an in-depth look at what’s new and how these updates enhance the Mac experience.

Apple Intelligence: AI Comes to macOS

macOS Sequoia 15.1 brings Apple’s first wave of Apple Intelligence to the Mac. These features, though in beta, bring AI-powered enhancements designed to make daily interactions with your Mac more efficient and intuitive. However, these features are only available to Macs with M1 or newer chips, as Intel-based Macs will receive a pared-down update.

Key Apple Intelligence Features in macOS Sequoia 15.1:

Enhanced Siri: Siri now has a revamped interface, allowing users to type requests instead of speaking them. Siri’s capabilities have also expanded to include detailed Apple product knowledge and better response accuracy.
Notification Summaries: Notifications are now smarter and more useful, grouping similar alerts and providing actionable summaries rather than overwhelming users with individual notifications.
Writing Tools: System-wide writing tools now offer proofreading, rephrasing, and reformatting options, with ChatGPT integration scheduled to arrive later this year.
Photos Enhancements:

Object Removal Tool: Easily erase unwanted items from your images with a simple tap.
Natural Language Search: AI-powered search enables users to locate photos based on specific terms, such as “beach sunset” or “birthday.”

5 . Memory Movie Creation: Create custom memory videos by simply providing instructions to AI, resulting in personal highlight reels.

6. Priority Messages in Mail: AI helps streamline email management by placing high-priority emails at the top.

7. Smart Reply and Thread Summaries in Mail and Messages: Enhanced reply suggestions and conversation summaries provide quick insights and efficient responses.

8. Focus Mode Improvements: Intelligent alerts let you stay focused without missing critical notifications, leveraging AI to filter only essential interruptions.

New Non-AI Features in macOS Sequoia 15.1

Beyond AI, Apple has included notable improvements to existing features:

Enhanced iPhone Mirroring: Building on last month’s release of iPhone Mirroring, macOS Sequoia 15.1 lets users drag and drop files directly between their Mac and a mirrored iPhone, simplifying file transfer without relying on AirDrop.
Low Power Mode Toggle in Battery Menu: Users can now enable Low Power Mode straight from the Battery menu in the Menu Bar, making it easier to switch to power-saving mode on the fly.

Compatibility and Access

macOS Sequoia 15.1 is available to all Macs compatible with the original macOS Sequoia, downloadable via System Settings under Software Update. However, Apple Intelligence features are currently limited to newer Mac models with an M1 chip or later. Additionally, users must join a waitlist to access these beta AI features.

This update marks Apple’s first significant step in integrating advanced AI into the Mac ecosystem, with more features planned for future releases. Mac users eager to explore Apple Intelligence can now experience the early capabilities of AI on macOS Sequoia 15.1, positioning it as a forward-thinking platform for productivity and creativity.

Author
Recent Posts

Eric Sandler

Chief Writer at WiFi Planet

Eric Sandler is a veteran US tech writer with over 25 years of experience covering the latest advancements in the world of technology. From groundbreaking innovations to in-depth reviews, Eric has built a reputation for delivering insightful, reliable content. His work spans across a variety of tech topics, including smartphones, gadgets, AI, and more, making him a trusted voice in the industry.