macOS Mojave 10.14.1 makes Group FaceTime available to all

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Group FaceTime Mac
With macOS 10.14.1 you can make Group FaceTime calls with dozens of people.
Photo: Apple

Apple has introduced a fairly significant update for macOS Mojave. This isn’t just some bug fix tweak — version 10.14.1 brings fun new features.

The most significant of these is Group FaceTime. Updates released today for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch also support this group-calling feature for the first time.

Group FaceTime finally leaves beta

A statement from Apple about macOS 10.14.1 says:

“Adds support for Group FaceTime video and audio calls, which support up to 32 participants simultaneously, are encrypted end-to-end for privacy, and can be initiated from a group Messages conversation, or joined at any time during an active call.”

Group FaceTime was originally supposed be be part of last month’s macOS Mojave release. However, it was pulled out during the beta process. No reason was ever given, but it was assumed Apple’s developers ran out of time and couldn’t guarantee the software would be reliable if released in September.

Lots more emoji in macOS 10.14.1 too

The company’s description of the new operating system version goes on talk about its other big enhancement:

“Adds over 70 new emoji characters, including new characters with red hair, gray hair and curly hair, new emoji for bald people, more emotive smiley faces and additional emoji representing animals, sports and food.”

There was no mention of the bagel emoji that briefly caused a kerfuffle earlier this month.

To install macOS 10.14.1 on your Mac, choose System Preferences from the Apple () menu, then click Software Update.

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