Macworld - USA (2021-08)

AUGUST 2021 MACWORLD 49

conversations that you can share and add
to calendar events. Others can join those
sessions on the web even from Windows
or Android devices.
All the new SharePlay features work
on iPadOS 15, too. You can watch TV
shows and movies or listen to music,
with playback synced between
everyone on the FaceTime call. And all
participants can control playback or
adjust the playlist.

UNIVERSAL CONTROL
OK, this is technically a Mac feature, but it’s
too cool not to talk about. Apple is
bringing the ability to work between your
devices with the same input device. With
Universal Control you’ll be able to work
with a single mouse and keyboard and
move your cursor and content
between your Mac and iPad for
a seamless experience, with no
setup required.

MESSAGES
Messages doesn’t get much of
an overhaul in itself. The
biggest visual difference you’ll
notice is the way photos look
when someone sends them to
you: A few photos will display
as a collage, a larger group
will show as a stack you can
swipe through.

It’s what iPadOS 15 will do with all the

content that others share with you in

Messages that changes. You’ll see a

“Shared with You” section in most Apple

apps to highlight the content that people

send you in Messages. The “Shared with

You” section of the Safari new tab will

show links sent to you in Messages. The

Photos app has a section to show all the

photos sent in Messages. The same goes

for News, Podcasts, and Music.

FOCUS

Focus Mode is a new feature spanning all

of Apple’s new operating systems this fall

(iOS, macOS, watchOS, and iPadOS). Set a

Focus mode for driving, sleeping, studying,

gaming, or what have you, and you can

decide which apps and people are

Focus Modes are a way to keep you on task and avoid

unwanted interruptions.