After intense testing, Apple is finally allowing up to one million Mac users to try out the first public beta of OS X Yosemite.
If Apple's OS X Yosemite release this fall seems too far, here's a chance to get early access to the beta version of the OS. Starting Thursday, Apple will let up to one million Mac users try out the early beta version of the latest OS X Yosemite. This is the first public release of the software since the Cupertino tech giant unveiled Yosemite in June during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.
Apple has been quite busy testing its operating system with skilled developers, who pay $99 for an annual subscription to get access to developer preview build. Now, Apple is experimenting with the software in the wild.
In order to get beta access to OS X Yosemite, Apple's latest version of Mac operating system and a successor to Mavericks, users must first sign up for Apple's Beta Program. The slots are limited to one million and Apple will send a link to selected users. After activating the link, the newest version of Yosemite will be downloaded on the computer.
Since it is a beta version, one can expect bugs and lags. The software comes with a built-in feedback assistant app that allows users to report bugs and issues along with their overall thoughts to Apple. According to Wired, the beta version will not receive many updates but will be get to the final version directly this fall.
Apple warns users to back up data before downloading the OS update using cloud services like iCloud, Dropbox or Google Drive. It is also better to install the beta build of the OS on a secondary computer so bugs do not interfere with important tasks on a main computer.
Anyone with an Apple ID can get access to the free OS and it does not void the warranty of the machine. In fact, if the beta version is getting in your way of work, Apple tech team will walk you through the procedure to revert the machine back to Mavericks.
Apple already received early feedback with its Yosemite developer preview. According to a Chitika Insights report earlier this month, Yosemite beta adoption was four times better than the Mavericks beta when it was released to developers. If the trend continues, it won't be long before the OS quickly powers all the machines running Mavericks. Apple Mac users get free OS upgrades, unlike Windows where customers must purchase new licenses for upgrade.
