Apple's Mac OS X Yosemite Beta 2 features, installation; step-by-step guide

(Credit: Apple)Mac OS X Yosemite.

Apple has just released the Mac OS X Yosemite Beta 2 for MacBook and iMac, giving testers a glimpse of what the desktop OS's integration with the upcoming iOS 8 will be like.

As expected, the OS X Yosemite Beta does not ensure stability, hence, it is not recommended to run on devices intended for daily use.

OS X Yosemite was presented at the WWDC 2014 earlier this month, Apple's annual event where the Cupertino-based company demonstrated, among other things, a new feature to work a document and get back to it from where you left on a different device.

They call the new work syncing feature Handoff, which needs Bluetooth 4.0 / LE to function.

At the event, Apple launched the OS X 10.10 Developer Preview, aka the OS X Yosemite Beta.

The OS X Yosemite Beta 2 corrects some bugs which came with the first beta which many have already run on their iMacs, Mac Pros and MacBooks.

The new update likewise comes with some features Apple mentioned during its big annual event earlier this month, which MacRumors enumerates as follows:

- Blocking incoming requests during Screen Sharing

- The Handoff feature

- New icon for Settings

- On screen notification for incoming files for Airdrop

- The Photo Booth application

- Time Machine using blurred look of the current desktop picture

Developers can get hold of a copy of the OS X Yosemite Beta 2 from the Mac App Store's Software Update, or from Apple's Developer Center.

Apple encourages developers to also check for updated Safari and Graphics Drivers for this lastest beta issue.

Here's how the Mac OS X Beta 2 can be installed step-by-step:

1. From the Apple Developer center, download a copy of OS X Mavericks. Apple will give a redemption code for use in the Mac App Store.

2. From Mac App Store Purchases tab, download the software.

3. Access the file 'Install OS X 10.10 Developer Preview.app' in the Applications folder.

4. Run the Disk Utility application.

5. Choose the first Macintosh HD which appears in two items on the left side list.

6. Click the Partition tab. Click " " and Macintosh HD2 partition will show.

7. Resize the Macintosh HD 2 partition drag handle to give it enough space; at least 50 GB.

8. Rename Macintosh HD 2 as Yosemite HD.

9. Click Apply at bottom right. Click Partition.

10. Launch 'Install OS X 10.10 Developer Preview.app'.

11. Follow instructions, agree to terms and conditions and click Continue. Remember to install Yosemite on partition "Yosemite HD." Not Macintosh HD.

12. Installation will commence. Make sure to plug the device into a power source so it will not shut down during the process.

The installation requires enough disk space. There should be at least 50 GB of free disk space and 256GB total disk space.

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