A beta version of Apple's next-gen operating system will be released tomorrow, July 24, Cupertino announced today.
The OS X Beta Program for OS X Yosemite invites customers to participate in the beta testing process and submit feedback to Apple directly.
OS X Beta Program members will be able to download the beta seed of OS X Yosemite tomorrow, but space is limited to the first 1 million people who sign up with their Apple ID.
You can sign up on Apple's website now, and the company will send out a redemption code when the software is ready, which you can use to download and install OS X Yosemite Beta from the Mac App Store.
"Then go ahead and start using it," Apple said. "When you come across an issue that needs addressing, report it directly to Apple with the built-in Feedback Assistant application."
To try out Yosemite, your Mac needs to be running Mavericks, which is available in the Mac App Store. "We recommend installing OS X Yosemite Beta on a secondary Mac, since it may contain errors or inaccuracies," Apple said. "Please be sure to back up your Mac using Time Machine before you install the beta."
Apple first showed off Yosemite at WWDC in June, at which point it was made available to developers. A full release is expected this fall as a free upgrade.
The major theme of Yosemite is Continuity, which provides for a deeper link between Mac and iOS when users are signed into iCloud. As part of this Continuity concept, AirDrop will now work between iOS and Mac rather than just iOS devices. With a feature known as Handoff, meanwhile, you can link up your iOS devices and easily pass files between devices whenever they are close to one another.
As for messaging, Mac users can now get iOS updates from non-Apple users. But it's not just texts - Mac users can now get and place iPhone calls on the Mac.
Apple cautioned, however, that the Yosemite beta might not include all of the operating system's new features, "since the beta software is unfinished."
For more, check out 20 Cool New Things in Apple OS X Yosemite.