Apple Releases OS X Yosemite Developer Preview 4, Public Beta Coming Later This Month

Alongside iOS 8 beta 4, Apple today released a new version of OS X Yosemite to developers, two weeks after releasing the third Developer Preview and over a month and a half after introducing the new operating system at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

The update can be downloaded from the Mac App Store or through the Mac Developer Center. Apple has also released iTunes 12.0, Yosemite Recovery Update 1.0, OS X Server 4.0 Developer Preview, and Apple Configurator 1.7 beta. iTunes 12 includes an "elegant new design" and introduces support for Family Sharing, a feature first announced during WWDC. The update also includes improved playlists and a redesigned Info Window.

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OS X Yosemite brings a flatter, more modern look to OS X, with an emphasis on translucency and redesigned dock, windows, and more. It also includes a multitude of new features, such as improved integration with iOS 8 through Continuity, a new "Today" view in Notification Center that offers integration with third-party apps, a retooled Spotlight search with new data sources, and several new features for apps like Mail, Safari, and Messages.

Yosemite is currently only available to developers, but Apple plans to offer a beta version of the software to Mac users at some point during the summer, possibly as early as this month. A source that spoke to 9to5Mac suggests the beta is coming in late July, though it could be pushed back until early August if Yosemite is not ready in time.

New Features:

iTunes 12 - The newest Yosemite beta includes a revamped version of iTunes with a simple, streamlined design and support for Family Sharing.

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iTunes 12 icon - The icon for iTunes has also changed with the new iTunes 12 beta.

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Calculator - The Calculator app in OS X Yosemite has been redesigned.

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Dark Mode Settings - Dark Mode settings have been tweaked slightly and there's a new checkbox to turn the feature on and off for the dock and menu bar.

Related Forum: OS X Yosemite

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Top Rated Comments

benthewraith Avatar
143 months ago
Here's just a little of the "elegant new design"

That's pretty hideous.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
screensaver400 Avatar
143 months ago
What's your first impression on iTunes 12 ? The current iTunes is pretty slow so I was hoping 12 isn't. Even though it's a beta version it might be better/faster.

I doubt it. It looks like the same old iTunes to me, just with a new skin.

iTunes needs a Pages/Keynote/Numbers-style "start from scratch." Frankly, iTunes needs it more than iWork needed it.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
z06gal Avatar
143 months ago
Yosemite is gorgeous. I love where Apple is going with this...very nice ;)
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pacmania1982 Avatar
143 months ago
'Elegant new design'...its BLOODY AWFUL looking!

And before you go on, yes I know its beta. I do like the look of Yosemite but yuck!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PsykX Avatar
143 months ago
Pretty disappointed we are not seeing the Public Beta today, I thought it was about the right time.
No, it's not the right time.

Public betas have to be released when the product is in its final state and there's no possibility that major bugs tarnish the reputation of the company. Apple is known for their quality so much that each time I tell someone that my iOS 8 beta has a bug and cannot do this and that, people go like "that's the problem with Apple" and I can't make them understand that this is a private beta. Imagine a public...

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Any word on Xcode 6 DP4 ? I just lost my Developer membership 6 days ago, which means I can install Yosemite DP4 and iOS 8 Seed 4 legitimately through Software Updates, but I got no chance about Xcode.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
143 months ago
I have to laugh when people ask for impressions on something that was just released within the half hour. How can someone provide a decent impression on something that fast?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)