WWDC 2014: Apple announces OS X 10.10 Yosemite

Craig Federighi introduced OS X 10.10 Yosemite at WWDC 2014 today, saying that it included a concept that Apple developers label as continuity. Like iOS 7 in 2013, OS X Yosemite received a major design overhaul, including redesigned icons and translucent backgrounds. Key features of OS X Yosemite include:

• A dark mode for people who don't care for the light themes.

• Redesigned icons and translucent backgrounds.

• Redesigned sidebars for apps.

• A new today view for the notification similar, like the one that is in iOS 7. This view can be expanded to show additional widgets from third-party apps.

• New views in Calendar for week and day views.

• A redesigned Spotlight that looks and appears to behave a lot like Alfred and similar app launchers.

• The addition of iCloud Drive, which will sync folders on your Mac to iOS and Windows.

• A redesigned Mail with Mail Drop, which will send large attachments through iCloud to avoid having emails bounce back from having too-large attachments. There is also the integration of Preview features that let you mark up an email.

• Redesigned Safari with a smart search field and everything condensed into a single bar.

• The ability to AirDrop and hand-off files between Mac and iOS

• The ability to instantly detect a mobile hotspot if your phone is nearby

• The ability to make and receive phone calls and SMS from your Mac.

OS X Yosemite will be available to developers today. Those part of the OS X Beta program will receive the update this summer. It will be a free release to the public in the fall.