Apple Mac OS X Yosemite Release Date, Specs: Improved Features, Now Available For Download

The new Apple Mac OS X Yosemite has already been officially released, and Apple customers may now download it for free.

Here are a few things to know about the new OS.

Yosemite will have an entirely new interface following its redesign. According to Apple, Yosemite will offer a "fresh and modern" look on the desktop where users can see "clearer, smarter and easier to understand" controls.

It will have a couple of translucent icons and streamlined toolbars. "App icons have a clean, consistent design and an updated system font improves readability," Apple says.

One of the improved features is the Notification Center which will provide the user constant updates on such widgets as the Reminders, Weather, and Calendar.

The Spotlight in Yosemite will now appear at the front and center of the desktop. The user can customize this part with Apple's suggestions like Maps, Bing, App Store, iTunes, iBooks Store and others.

It is also easier to navigate through Yosemite's mail system. There is a Mark-up option where the user can fill out and sign forms quickly with an annotated option for images and PDFs. Mail Drop, a new feature, allows users to send large files up to 5GB in size (videos, images, etc.).

The new messaging tool will also look different since it will offer more communication options. The thread titles can now be edited so conversations can be easily found. Users can also integrate Soundbite so they can create, listen and send audio clips using Messages.

Apple calls Yosemite "the future of OS X." During the Yosemite launch event, Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, cited Yosemite for its "incredible new design and amazing new apps, all engineered to work beautifully with iOS."

"We engineer our platforms, services and devices together, so we are able to create a seamless experience for our users across all our products that is unparalleled in the industry. It's something only Apple can deliver," Federighi said.