Apple hasn't yet opened up public beta testing for OS X Yosemite, but fresh information about the next generation of the Mac's operating system slips out almost every day. I've gathered together a few details you probably haven't come across before.
Dashboard
If the Yosemite installer sees that you've never used OS X's Dashboard feature, it will automatically delete it to save you space.
iCloud everywhere
Yosemite lets users log into their Mac user account using their iCloud password instead of using the existing User account password system.
Currency conversion
Spotlight will convert currency for you.
Batch rename
Yosemite's Finder brings the ability to rename multiple selected items using right-click.
Near networking
Apple's move to open Multipeer Connectivity means Macs and iOS devices will be far easier to network together over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Cloud control
You can already see what pages you have open on all your Macs and devices using iCloud Tabs: In Yosemite, you can remotely close those pages.
New sounds
Apple has added a bunch of new alert tones to Messages.
Energy Saver
A small design feature -- the Energy Saver icon in System Preferences now depicts an LED bulb, rather than the fluorescent one used in Mavericks.
Where's that file?
Click on a file and hold the command key and you'll still see where that file is located at the bottom of the window.
Continuity
Apple's Continuity features promise an amazingly integrated experience between Mac and iOS devices. However, it looks like only the following Macs will support Continuity, because the feature requires Bluetooth LE support:
- MacBook Air (mid-2011 and above)
- MacBook Pro (mid-2012 and above)
- Retina MacBook Pro (mid-2012 and above)
- iMac (late 2012 and above)
- Mac mini (mid-2011 and above)
- Mac Pro (2013 and above)
It is theoretically possible that a Mac-compatible Bluetooth 4.0 dongle may enable Continuity on unsupported Macs, though this is not guaranteed -- don't invest until it's tested.
Create Yosemite boot drive
Erase and then create a Mac OS Extended (Journaled) partition on a USB 3.0 flash drive using Disk Utility. Launch the Yosemite installer and click the 'Show All Disks' button. Select your USB drive and install the system on there. You'll need to enter a little more info. Now you have an emergency boot drive for your Mac.
Message sync
When your Mac and iOS devices are on the same network, the SMS and iMessage messages on your device will automatically sync to your Mac -- this will be invaluable for those who need to get copies of messages.
Photos
Apple's iOS/OS X Photos app will give users more granular controls over some of the app's built-in image editing choices.
Transparency control
If you don't like the new transparency effects in Yosemite apps, you can disable the feature in System Preferences>Accessibility>Display.
Control Center
It's possible Macs will gain a swipeable Control Center app, similar to iOS 8.
Green button
As reported before, the green maximize button will now put supporting apps into full-screen mode -- logical. If you don't want to enter that mode and just want to make the window bigger (as in Mavericks), just press 'Option' when you click the green button.
Signature move
You can already take a photo of your signature to place in PDF documents using Preview. In Yosemite, you will also be able to sign your name using your finger on your Trackpad.
One more thing
Visit Apple's Yosemite preview page and enjoy those gentle cloud motion effects.
I hope you have enjoyed this short collection of little known Yosemite snippets.
Also read:
- WWDC: Get your Mac ready for OS X Yosemite beta
- WWDC: 18 iOS 8, Yosemite details you probably missed
- How to get your Mac ready for OS X Mavericks
- How to improve Mac performance: OS X Mavericks edition
- An essential OS X Mavericks problem-solving guide
- OS X Mavericks: 6 useful Mac tricks
Google+? If you use social media and happen to be a Google+ user, why not join AppleHolic's Kool Aid Corner community and join the conversation as we pursue the spirit of the New Model Apple?
Got a story? Drop me a line via Twitter or in comments below and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when fresh items are published here first on Computerworld.
