Apple's New OS X Yosemite Available Today for Free

By Jack Linshi

October 16, 2014

Apple’s OS X Yosemite, its latest operating system for Mac computers, will available Thursday for free download, Apple said during an event at its Cupertino, California headquarters.

OS X Yosemite, available in beta since July, offers among other new features an updated design, a Notification Center that links to third party content, a powerful Spotlight search, and improved Safari functions including a new tab view and sharing functions on third party websites.

Apple emphasized that Yosemite will also work in conjunction with iOS 8, Apple’s latest operating system for mobile devices. Yosemite will use iCloud to provide a seamless cross-device experience, an initiative Apple calls Continuity.

While Apple already uses iCloud to sync the Calendar and Notes apps across devices, users will now have additional features with the Handoff feature. Users will be able to work on presentations or documents on one device, then pick up where they left off on another device. Additionally, SMS text messages—not just iMessages—will appear across Macs, iPads and iPhones. With OS X Yosemite, Macs will also be able to serve as a speakerphone for telephone calls.

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And Apple Watch isn’t left out of the Continuity project either. Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of software engineering, showed how the Apple Watch can be used as a remote to control presentations on a Mac.

PHOTOS: The Rise of Mobile Phones from 1916 to Today

<strong>1916</strong> A German field telephone station in the Aisne department of northern France during World War I.

1916 A German field telephone station in the Aisne department of northern France during World War I.

Paul Thompson—FPG/Getty Images

<strong>1970</strong>
French singer and actor Johnny Hallyday in a scene from the film 'Point de Chute' (aka 'Falling Point').

1970 French singer and actor Johnny Hallyday in a scene from the film 'Point de Chute' (aka 'Falling Point').

Keystone/Holton/Getty Images

<strong>1980</strong>
An early mobile phone during the Iranian Embassy siege at Princes Gate in South Kensington, London.

1980 An early mobile phone during the Iranian Embassy siege at Princes Gate in South Kensington, London.

Kypros/Getty Images

<strong>1983</strong>
Bob Maxwell, general manager of Englewood-based Mobile Telephone of Colorado, places a call on an FCC-approved radio frequency while driving to work.

1983 Bob Maxwell, general manager of Englewood-based Mobile Telephone of Colorado, places a call on an FCC-approved radio frequency while driving to work.

Lyn Alweis—Denver Post/Getty Images

<strong>1986</strong>
THE A-TEAM "The Say U.N.C.L.E. Affair" Episode 5. (l-r) Eddie Velez as Frankie Santana, Robert Vaughn as General Hunt Stockwell, George Peppard as John 'Hannibal' Smith.

1986 THE A-TEAM "The Say U.N.C.L.E. Affair" Episode 5. (l-r) Eddie Velez as Frankie Santana, Robert Vaughn as General Hunt Stockwell, George Peppard as John 'Hannibal' Smith.

Bill Dow—NBC/Getty Images

<strong>1992</strong>
Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton talks on a cell phone while meeting with Boston Mayor Ray Flynn in a New York hotel on Sept. 25.

1992 Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton talks on a cell phone while meeting with Boston Mayor Ray Flynn in a New York hotel on Sept. 25.

Mark Lennihan—AP

<strong>1993</strong>
Whoopi Goldberg during ShoWest in Las Vegas.

1993 Whoopi Goldberg during ShoWest in Las Vegas.

Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images

<strong>1997</strong>

A farmer with his family sitting on a Bullock Cart and talking on a mobile Phone, in Delhi.

1997 A farmer with his family sitting on a Bullock Cart and talking on a mobile Phone, in Delhi.

India Today Group/Getty Images

<strong>2001</strong>
A woman watches smoke pour out of the World Trade Center Towers in New York on September 11.

2001 A woman watches smoke pour out of the World Trade Center Towers in New York on September 11.

Nicholas Goldberg—Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

<strong>2011</strong>
A rebel militiaman speaks on his mobile phone after capturing territory from government troops on March 25 in Ben Jawat, Libya.

2011 A rebel militiaman speaks on his mobile phone after capturing territory from government troops on March 25 in Ben Jawat, Libya.

John Moore—Getty Images

<strong>2011</strong>
A youth films the aftermath of tear gas police fired at protestors in Muhammed Mahmoud Street near Tahrir Square on November 23 in Cairo.

2011 A youth films the aftermath of tear gas police fired at protestors in Muhammed Mahmoud Street near Tahrir Square on November 23 in Cairo.

Peter Macdiarmid—Getty Images

<strong>2012</strong>

Audience members take pictures of President Barack Obama at Florida Atlantic University on April 10 in Boca Raton, Florida.

2012 Audience members take pictures of President Barack Obama at Florida Atlantic University on April 10 in Boca Raton, Florida.

Marc Serota—Getty Images

<strong>2014</strong>
A teenager takes a selfie in front of Queen Elizabeth II during a walk around St. Georges Market in Belfast. The Queen has apparently voiced her dismay that when she carries out engagements she is greeted by a sea of mobile phones.

2014 A teenager takes a selfie in front of Queen Elizabeth II during a walk around St. Georges Market in Belfast. The Queen has apparently voiced her dismay that when she carries out engagements she is greeted by a sea of mobile phones.

Peter Macdiarmid—PA Wire/Press Association Images/AP

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