Apple has announced an internally modified macOS browser, Safari 17, for release in the fall. The first beta version is available for developers to test and shows that the browser will have more features that are already known from Chrome and Firefox, including support for profiles. Profiles enable users to create separate areas for cookies and local content, such as remaining logged in to both private and professional Facebook accounts at the same time.
Safari 17 will offer better protection against trackers with an extension of data protection in the browser. This means that known trackers and fingerprinting are now prevented in private browsing mode, and tracking via search engines is also prevented.
Apple has also promised that users will be able to share passwords and passkeys with others via iCloud Keychain, which is end-to-end encrypted. Private browsing windows can also be protected with Touch ID or a password. Additionally, support for web apps is integrated directly into Safari 17 for macOS, allowing websites to convert into applications that can be accessed via the dock.
Apple has made numerous changes in the WebKit engine, which is in Safari, including support for AVIF in older macOS versions, vibration support for controllers, or better privacy protection for web APIs. Safari can now add noise to certain web APIs to protect data. Furthermore, the JPEG XL image format is now part of WebKit, and it is supposed to be more efficient than JPEG.
Safari 17 will come with macOS 14, which is expected to be released in the fall, probably in October.
