While we expected the OS 27.3 betas to bring our first look at the new Apple Watch Audio Intelligence and the redesigned Health app, Apple has delivered a couple of features in today’s betas that we didn’t expect. Available now in the developer beta and coming soon to public beta testers, Apple has announced several new Safari features coming in the next iPhone and Mac update, including a couple popular ones inspired by Chrome and other browsers. Here is a quick summary of the new features.
- Vertical tabs. Instead of the usual tab bar across the top of the browser window, open tabs can now run down the left side of the window in version 27.3. Vertical tabs appear as icons by default, but the tab bar can be resized so titles are visible. This feature is available for macOS 27.3 and iPadOS 27.3, and is also available on the iPhone Duo.
- Adaptive Dark Mode. Some websites don’t provide a native dark mode, so you end up with the site in light mode and the browser borders in dark mode. This new feature will fix that by forcing non-native sites into dark mode. When Safari senses such a site, it notifies the user and asks if they want to try Adaptive Dark Mode. Users also have the choice to have it turn on automatically or on a site-by-site basis.
- Siri AI implementation. You can now tell Siri to perform browser tasks, such as emptying the cache and organizing tabs. Apple also has plans to extend Siri’s awareness of webpage content beyond what is currently in view. These features require a device compatible with Siri AI.
Safari 27.3 is part of OS 27.3, which is expected to arrive for non-beta testers in early December.
