In addition to releasing iOS 8 beta 5 on Monday, Apple seeded a new preview of the OS X Yosemite beta to developers. The fifth preview of OS X Yosemite beta is now available via the Mac Dev Center or from the Mac App Store. Also available in the Dev Center: XCode Beta 5 and the newest builds of Find My Friends, Find My iPhone, and Apple Configurator. OS X Yosemite has that modern “flat” look that Apple been integrating into its products, includes redesigned windows and dock, and includes new features both subtle and not. Through Continuity, OS X Yosemite has improved integration with iOS 8. In the Notification Center is a new “Today” view that integrates third-party applications. Spotlight was tweaked as well. Mail, Safari, Messages, and other apps also have new features. Apple did make a public preview of OS X Yosemite available, but the public beta will not get as many updates as the developer betas. Here are some changes that developers are seeing:
- A slimmer system preferences toolbar.
- An option to show a website’s full URL in Safari.
- A more translucent calculator app.
- A progress bar for downloading apps in Launchpad’s dock icon.
- Volume and screen brightness indicators look more iOS-y.
OS X Yosemite is expected to be released in its full glory within the next several months.
