**macOS Tahoe 26.2: Overview of New Features**
macOS Tahoe 26.2 is slated for release next month, introducing a variety of exciting new features aimed at enhancing the user experience on Mac devices. Below is a comprehensive overview of three significant additions.
### 1. Edge Light for Video Calls
In a time when remote work and video conferencing have become routine, Apple unveils the Edge Light feature in macOS 26.2 to elevate video call quality. This cutting-edge feature simulates the effect of a ring light by surrounding the edges of the Mac display with a virtual light, brightening the user’s face in low-light settings.
Leveraging the Neural Engine, Edge Light smartly identifies the user’s face and modifies the lighting according to their position and size within the frame. The Image Signal Processor adjusts the brightness to align with the surrounding light conditions, ensuring ideal illumination. Users can manually switch Edge Light on and off, or enable automatic activation during low-light scenarios, as long as they have a 2024 Mac or newer. The feature is compatible with Macs that have Apple silicon, including those with M1 chips and later, and can also be utilized with external cameras and the Apple Studio Display.
### 2. Thunderbolt 5-Powered Mac Clusters
For developers and researchers, macOS 26.2 brings forth a revolutionary feature that enables users to connect multiple Macs via Thunderbolt 5, forming powerful AI supercomputers. This functionality is particularly advantageous for those aiming to run sophisticated local models efficiently.
The new low-latency capability allows for the interconnection of several Macs, such as Mac Studios, each capable of supporting up to 512GB of unified memory. This configuration facilitates the efficient execution of extensive AI models, like the 1 trillion parameter Kimi-K2-Thinking model, surpassing the performance of traditional PCs with high-performance GPUs. The upgraded Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, which delivers speeds of up to 80Gb/s, removes the previous constraints encountered with older Thunderbolt iterations. This clustering feature is not limited to premium models; it also accommodates M4 Pro Mac minis and M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pros, requiring merely standard Thunderbolt 5 cables for configuration.
### 3. Urgent Reminders
The Reminders app in macOS 26.2 undergoes a notable enhancement with the launch of Urgent reminders. Users can now designate reminders with a set due time as ‘Urgent,’ prompting an alarm on their iPhone or iPad when the time arrives. This functionality includes a straightforward toggle in the details view, enabling users to snooze the reminder for nine minutes or mark it as complete.
The Urgent reminders feature guarantees that significant alerts are not overlooked, as it syncs with iOS devices. Upon creating the first Urgent reminder on a Mac, users will receive guidance on how to set up the related alert on their iPhone, improving cross-device integration.
### Conclusion
macOS Tahoe 26.2 is set to enhance user experience through its innovative features, particularly in video calls, AI development, and task management. As the release date nears, users can anticipate these advancements that aim to make their Mac experience more productive and enjoyable.
