Apple recently unveiled the latest iteration of Safari Technology Preview, a pioneering web browser initially introduced in March 2016. Designed as an experimental platform, Safari Technology Preview serves as a testing ground for potential features intended for future Safari releases.
In version 174 of Safari Technology Preview, Apple addresses various issues and introduces updates pertaining to CSS, CSS Container Queries, Layout, JavaScript, Media, Popover, Accessibility, SVG, and Web API.
Notably, this update aligns with Safari 17, accompanying the macOS Sonoma release. Users of Sonoma can now benefit from browsing Profiles, which facilitate the segregation of browsing data such as History and Favorites, improved web app functionality, and enhanced private browsing mode. Features applicable to all operating systems include Feature Flags (replacing Experimental Features), a redesigned Develop menu, Live Text support for vertical text recognition within images and videos, as well as support for HEIC and JPEG XL, a novel image format featuring an advanced compression algorithm, resulting in superior image quality at reduced file sizes compared to JPEG.
The latest Safari Technology Preview release is compatible with macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma, the newest macOS version currently undergoing beta testing by Apple.
To acquire the Safari Technology Preview update, users can access the Software Update mechanism within System Preferences or System Settings. This update is available to all individuals who have previously downloaded the browser. Detailed release notes for this update are accessible on the official Safari Technology Preview website.
Apple’s primary objective in offering Safari Technology Preview is to gather valuable feedback from developers and users, enriching the browser’s development process. Notably, Safari Technology Preview can coexist alongside the existing Safari browser and, although primarily intended for developers, it can be downloaded without requiring a developer account.