14 DAY TRIAL // Alongside iOS 8 beta 2, Apple now offers OS X Yosemite Developer Preview 2, a new test version of the company’s latest and greatest Mac OS scheduled to debut publicly this fall.
On the Mac Dev Center, Apple informs testers that this pre-release version of OS X Yosemite can be downloaded from the Mac App Store using the redeemable download code supplied to each developer in part.
Those who have the first beta installed can use Software Update to download the latest Developer Preview without punching in any codes or passwords.
“OS X Yosemite Developer Preview 2 is pre-release software. Do not use this pre-release software in a commercial operating environment or with important data. You should back up all of your data before installing this software and regularly back up data while using the software,” Apple says.
“Please be aware that you will not be able to revert back to your previous system after updating. Please install this update on a system you are prepared to erase if necessary. If an installation of OS X Yosemite Developer Preview 2 fails, try using Disk Utility from a Recovery HD to repair the disk.”
Before users download OS X Yosemite from the Mac App Store they must ensure they are using a 64-bit, Intel-based Mac running either Mac OS X v10.6.8 Snow Leopard or later. At least 8GB of free disk space will be required to install OS X v10.10 and Xcode 6 beta is required to code apps for Yosemite.
Apple today also offers a new Xcode 6 beta to go with the updated iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 beta, and even a new developer preview of OS X Server 4.0.
OS X Yosemite Developer Preview supports iMac (Mid 2007 or newer), MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer), MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer), Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer), MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer), Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer), and Xserve (Early 2009).
The accompanying release notes reveal that several of the new features introduced in Yosemite – such as Family Sharing, Handoff, App Extensions, and Phone Calls – are in dire need of maintenance.
iCloud Drive users are urged to remember that any content they create and sync using Yosemite Developer Preview will be erased from the servers when the beta period ends.
However, “Your devices using the Developer Preview will maintain copies of those deleted iCloud Documents & Data,” Apple notes. “iCloud Documents & Data managed with iOS 7 or OS X Mavericks will remain unaffected,” the company adds.