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OS X Yosemite Release: 5 Things Users Need to Know

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The OS X Yosemite Release date is approaching fast as many users join the public OS X Yosemite beta to take advantage of all the new Mac features that work with iOS 8.

Apple announced OS X Yosemite back in June, and started offering a free OS X Yosemite trial to Mac users over the summer with room still available for users who can’t wait to try all the new features.

Apple did not announce the official OS X Yosemite release date, but all signs point to the update arriving in the next several weeks. Many users will be happy to hear there is no OS X Yosemite price, as this is a free upgrade.

We’ll take a look at what’s new in Yosemite, how you can try it early and when we expect the OS X Yosemite release date will arrive.

OS X Yosemite Release Date & Price

According to Apple the OS X Yosemite release date is set for this fall, but you won’t need to wait until late in the fall for this update.

The OS X Yosemite release date is close with multiple reports aligning for October.

The OS X Yosemite release date is close with multiple reports aligning for October.

According to 9to5Mac the OS X Yosemite release is planned for October, almost a month after the iOS 8 release date which took place on September 17th.

A separate report from the Daily Dot adds more details sharing the rumor of an Apple event on October 21st where the company will announce the iPad Air 2, iPad mini Retina 2 and the OS X Yosemite release.

SoftPedia reports Apple is reaching out to OS X 10.10 beta users to get feedback on the new AirDrop feature that allows users to send photos from the iPhone to a compatible Mac without connecting any cords.

Although we cannot confirm the October 21st timing, it is all but confirmed that Apple is ready for a OS X Yosemite release date in October. The OS X Yosemite price is $0, as this is a free update for all users.

OS X Yosemite Compatibility

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Find out what computers will run OS X Yosemite.

Not every Mac will run OS X Yosemite, but the list of supported computers is pretty long. As always older computers may not run new software as well as a new machine. Ars Technica discovered what Macs can run OS X Yosemite.

The OS X Mavericks update rendered an older MacBook Pro used by a Gotta Be Mobile staff member unusable. If your Mac is on the edge of this list, wait for reviews on your particular device before upgrading.

  • iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
  • MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later), (15-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later), (17-inch, Late 2007 or later)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
  • Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later)
  • Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
  • Xserve (Early 2009)

Some features don’t make the cut on older Macs, including Continuity and Handoff, which rely on Bluetooth LE, that is not standard on the older Macs.

OS X Yosemite Beta

You can still join the OS X Yosemite beta

You can still join the OS X Yosemite beta

Apple offers an OS X Yosemite beta that is free and open to any user with a compatible Mac. Although this is only open to the first million users, a Gotta Be Mobile team member joined last week after upgrading to iOS 8 without any problems.

Visit the AppleSeed OS X Beta Program and click Sign up to get started. After you complete the sign up, Apple shows you a code. You copy and paste that into Redeem Code in the Mac App Store and then the OS X Yosemite download will start.

Installing OS X Yosemite is the same as any other OS X update. Don’t install this on your only computer or one used for important tasks as this is still a beta.

9 Exciting OS X Yosemite Features

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NQ7kqwbqeiI

Here is a quick look at 9 exciting OS X Yosemite features users will enjoy most this fall. Most of these are included in the current OS X Yosemite beta if you can’t wait.

  1. Spotlight – In OS X Yosemite Spotlight includes better previews, it’s in the middle of the screen and it’s way more useful.
  2. Notifications – The Notification Center includes widgets and shows more information than on Mavericks.
  3. Calls and Texts – When the iPhone is near your Mac you can answer a call from the iPhone and respond to texts right on your Mac — just like you could with iMessage and FaceTime calls.
  4. Handoff – When you are done using an app on the iPhone and want to continue in that app on your Mac handoff magically makes that happen. It works form Mac to iPhone as well and it’s pretty amazing.
  5. Instant Hotspot – After you set it up you can use your iPhone or iPad as an Instant Hotspot by clicking on your phone under the WiFi menu.
  6. iCloud Drive – Think of this as an Apple version of Dropbox that is already on all of your OS X and iOS devices. You can store any type of file here.
  7. Better Built In Apps – Safari, Mail and Messages all offer a more streamlined look and better features. Safari in particular is way easier to use the web on a Mac and it’s faster and more battery efficient.
  8. AirDrop – AirDrop is no longer limited to iPhone and iPad. Now you can quickly share photos and more from the iPhone to Mac with a few taps.
  9. New Design & Dark Mode – OS X is revamped with an update design shown in the video above, and there is a cleaner Dock and a new dark mode that some users will love.

Stay tuned for more on the OS X Yosemite release and when you can expect it.

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