Apple has released macOS Ventura 13.3 today, which is now available for Mac users. This update comes with a host of new features, including 21 new emojis, updates to Freeform, and various bug fixes and performance improvements. Notably, this update also reintroduces the new HomeKit architecture that was previously withdrawn.
Alongside macOS Ventura 13.3, Apple has also launched iOS 16.4 for iPhones. This latest update includes new emojis, accessibility improvements, and notifications for web apps, among other things.
macOS Ventura 13.3 can be considered a relatively minor update compared to iOS 16.4. The update does include new emojis, like the ones introduced in Apple’s other operating system releases. Additionally, iOS 16.4 and macOS Ventura 13.3 address over 30 security exploits, making it an essential update for users concerned about device security.
This update comes after the release of macOS Ventura 13.2 in January 2023, which underwent several rounds of testing by developers and the public. Interestingly, this updated macOS will now be preinstalled on all new Macs, ensuring that users have access to the latest features right out of the box.
As mentioned earlier, the macOS Ventura 13.3 update is available for free download on all eligible Macs through the Software Update section of System Settings.
For users who have automatic updates enabled, the macOS Ventura 13.3 update will install automatically in the next day or so, and no further action is needed. However, those who wish to install the update manually can do so by following these steps:
- Open System Preferences on your Mac.
- Select the “General” option.
- Click on “Software Update.”
- Select the update option and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
In addition to the new emoji characters, such as pea pod, ginger, and various hearts, the update also includes several bug fixes. One of the fixes addresses an issue where Trackpad gestures would stop working. The update also includes minor tweaks and improvements to enhance the user experience.
macOS Ventura 13.3 also includes updates to Freeform. When using the “remove background” feature, the subject in an image is automatically isolated, making the process quicker and easier. There are also some other minor changes and fixes included in this update, which can be found in the full change log below:
- 21 new emoji including animals, hand gestures, and objects are now available on the emoji keyboard
- Remove background option in Freeform automatically isolates the subject in your image
- Photos duplicate album expands support to detect duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library
- Transliteration support for Gujarati, Punjabi, and Urdu keyboards
- New keyboard layouts for Choctaw, Chickasaw, Akan, Hausa, and Yoruba
- Accessibility setting to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected
- VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app
- Resolves an issue where Trackpad gestures may occasionally stop responding
- Fixes an issue where Ask to Buy requests from children may fail to appear on the parent’s device
- Addresses an issue where VoiceOver may be unresponsive after using Finder
Source: Apple