macOS 12.2: 120Hz scrolling in Safari and native Music app

Apple released the first beta of macOS 12.2 and this version includes new features, including 120 Hz scrolling with Safari and the Music application, which is now native.

ProMotion support with Safari

For Safari, ProMotion support (display rate up to 120 Hz) is welcome with macOS 12.2. Users had noted that the new MacBook Pros with the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips were content to display up to 60Hz for some applications and Apple’s Internet browser was on the list. Now the experience is smoother, both for browsing and managing settings.

The application becomes truly native

Apple also took the opportunity to offer a “real” native version of the application. It was with macOS Catalina that Apple ended iTunes to offer separate, dedicated applications, including Music. But much of the code still relied on iTunes, including content that was actually content loaded from the web.

Now the Music app on macOS 12.2 uses AppKit. This is the framework for the native interface of macOS. The app also uses JET, a technology created by Apple to turn web content into native apps.

Some parts of the Music app were already native, like the Music Library. Now Mac users will notice that searching for new songs at Apple Music level is much faster because the results pages are displayed with a native interface and no longer as a web page. Scrolling between items is also smoother with the app, and trackpad gestures are now more responsive. So many positive points.

macOS 12.2 is currently in beta, Apple released the first version yesterday for developers. The beta for public testers is coming soon (probably today or early next week). As for the final version for everyone, it will be necessary to wait until the beginning of 2022. But Apple has not yet communicated a date.