macOS 10.15.4 Catalina Update: What’s New?

Aside from releasing iOS 13.4 for the iPhone and iPadOS 13.4 for the iPad and iPad Pro, Cupertino tech giant Apple has also released the latest version of macOS Catalina for Macs, macOS 10.15.4. This new update adds a few new features for Music and Safari, as well as improved support for high dynamic range (HDR) displays as well as customized reference modes for the Pro Display XDR.

According to the macOS 10.15.4 release notes, the new macOS version adds support for time-synced lyrics in the Music app for Apple Music subscribers. New Content Blocker extensions delivered with Mac Catalyst apps have also been made available for use in Apple's Safari browser.

The new version of Catalina also comes bundled with Xcode 11.4, which supports building and distributing macOS apps as a universal purchase.

As per Apple Insider, those who use monitors that support HDR will see a checkbox containing several display options after downloading the new macOS version. The checkbox, found within System Preferences > Display, allows users to tick on an option that will automatically adjust the display to show HDR content.

Those who splurged on a Pro Display XDR will receive a firmware update that includes new customized reference modes. There's no other way to get this firmware update – Apple Insider noted that the update seems to be bundled with macOS 10.15.4.

According to Apple, the feature allows users to create customized reference modes by choosing from several color gamut, white point, SDR transfer and luminance options. Users can create customized reference modes by doing the following:

• First, Mac users should choose the Apple menu and proceed to System Preferences, then click on Displays.
• Second, once there, users should click on the Presets pop-up menu, then select Customize.
• Third, users should click the Add button (the one that looks like a plus sign), then tweak the settings for the reference mode. As mentioned, users can customize the color gamut, white point, luminance and SDR transfer options.
• Lastly, once done with customizing options, users should type in a name and description for the reference mode, then click on Save Preset.