Video games have always been one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Apple’s platforms have gradually become preferred by users for work, study, and now, albeit slowly, for gaming. Games are very present on the iPhone and iPad, but less so on the Mac. This is something that Apple wants to change with the introduction of macOS Sonoma’s game mode, but the transformation could go far beyond what we have seen so far.
What is macOS Sonoma game mode?
The new game mode, introduced in the latest version of Apple’s operating system for Mac, automatically adjusts various system variables to increase performance when it detects that we are playing a game on the computer. It automatically prioritizes hardware resources for the game, allowing it to run more smoothly, and restricts the use of certain resources to other applications and system services. It pauses certain tasks and, overall, focuses on making the gaming experience the best possible.
Indeed, Apple has even explained that this mode significantly reduces Bluetooth latency, which is excellent when we are gaming using AirPods or, even more importantly, when using Bluetooth controllers connected to the computer.
Clues about its arrival on mobile devices
The recent discovery of traces in the fourth beta of iOS 17, released to developers with all its new features, suggests that Apple is working on implementing this mode on iPhone and iPad. 9to5mac reports that certain frameworks associated with the game mode in macOS Sonoma were found in this beta, although it hasn’t been officially announced. This strong signal indicates that the company is indeed experimenting with bringing this functionality to its mobile devices as well.
What would this mean for Apple’s mobile devices?
And now we come to the most interesting part. Up until now, the iPhone and iPad, despite their immense popularity, haven’t been prominent platforms for AAA games, those with high budgets and superior graphics. If this move is officially confirmed, it could be an indicator that Apple is seriously looking into the mobile gaming market. What can we expect from this?
Firstly, we can expect an increase in the quality of games available on the platform. Developers would be motivated to create more ambitious titles or port existing ones, knowing that they will have the necessary resources to offer an optimal gaming experience to users.
Furthermore, this new functionality could lead to direct competition with portable gaming consoles. If Apple manages to attract significant developers and solidify its position in the mobile gaming market, the iPhone and iPad could become serious competitors for traditional portable consoles, offering a similar or even better gaming experience.
The greater integration with other Apple products also promises benefits for gamers. Starting with the reduction of Bluetooth latency, there’s more to come. We’ve been hearing rumors for some time about the possibility of Apple launching future controllers specifically designed to enhance the gaming experience on their devices.
This is directly related to Apple’s growing focus on augmented reality and virtual reality with the Apple Vision Pro. The introduction of a game mode on the iPhone, and perhaps later on the Vision Pro, could drive innovation in this field. In this regard, we can expect significant advancements in AR and VR games, offering increasingly immersive experiences.
Given what we’ve seen, the arrival of macOS Sonoma’s game mode to the iPhone and iPad is not just a simple improvement. It represents Apple’s vision of a future where its mobile devices not only dominate in terms of productivity, communication, or casual gaming but also as an entertainment platform. While we cannot confirm yet if this functionality will make it to the final version of iOS 17, what is clear is that Apple is showing a keen interest in the vast world of video games, and this could potentially change the landscape for everyone.
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