Apple
OS X Yosemite Release & Feature Roundup
The OS X Yosemite release date arrives this month as a free update for most Apple computers including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, iMac and Mac Mini.
Apple delivers a new look for OS X Yosemite that is familiar but new and packs in a lot of new OS X Yosemite features that could change the way you use your Mac as well as your iPhone and iPad.
One reasons millions of users can’t wait for the OS X Yosemite release date is because it connects the iPhone and iPad to your computer in new ways. You can now answer a phone call on your Mac, respond to a text message and it’s easier to send files from iPhone to computer using AirDrop.
After using OS X Yosemite for several months on a MacBook Pro Retina along with iOS 8 on the iPhone 5s we’re certain that these features will convince many users to upgrade to both of these new updates from Apple.
Apple revealed many of the new OS X Yosemite features in June at WWDC 2014, but it is possible that we’ll see a few new features revealed at the Apple Event on October 16th when we expect to hear Apple announce the missing OS X Yosemite details.
The October Apple Event starts at 10AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern on October 16th with a focus on new iPads and a new iMac Retina, but we also expect to see OS X Yosemite on stage and news about an iOS 8.1 update that enables all the connectivity between the two devices.
OS X Yosemite Release Date
Users can expect the OS X Yosemite release date on October 16th, but that is not confirmed. Last year the new OS X software update arrived on the same day as the event. It is very likely that Apple plans to announce the OS X Yosemite release date on this date and that users will be able to start downloading it later that day.
The OS X Yosemite release is close thanks to months of beta testing and a new OS X Yosemite GM Candidate 2 that arrived this week.
It’s clear Apple is working hard to iron out the bugs and get OS X Yosemite ready for a download on the Mac App Store.
There is always a chance that Apple will not hit the October 16th OS X Yosemite release date, but will announce a release date and time in the future.
OS X Yosemite Compatibility
If you are currently using OS X Mavericks you will likely be able to install OS X Yosemite. Although Apple did not announce a specific list of OS X Yosemite compatibility Ars Technica shares the following list of compatible machines.
- 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)
The list covers a wide array of Mac computers and goes back to 2007 in some cases. Users should investigate performance of OS X Yosemite on their older Mac before upgrading as aging machines may not handle the update well and not all features are available on the older devices.
OS X Yosemite Features
The OS X Yosemite walkthrough below shows off many of the new OS X Yosemite features that you’ll gain when you install OS X Yosemite on your Mac. On some older Macs without new Bluetooth LE connectivity the iOS 8 + Mac features will not work.
Here’s a look at the most exciting and important OS X Yosemite features that you’ll be able to use soon.