OS X 10.10.3 Beta 3 Released to Mac Developers

Apple has released a new developer version of OS X 10.10.3 for Mac. The new beta build of 14D98g includes Photos app, as well as support for Force Touch API, which is the redesigned touch-sensitive trackpad included in the new 12″ MacBook and MacBook Pro 13″ Retina. The new diverse Emoji characters and some other features from iOS 8.3 beta 3 are also included in the release.

The new beta version can be downloaded on Macs running existing developer builds of OS X 10.10.3 through the Software Update function of the App Store, accessible via the  Apple menu. OS X developers can also access the download from the Mac Dev Center. Currently this version is only available to those in the actual Mac Developer program, though Apple seems to release similar betas to OS X Public Beta users soon after.

The Force Touch API allows developers to access and build features for the Force Touch trackpad, which is sensitive to varying degrees of pressure and the force of a click or press on the Trackpad. The new trackpad also supports haptic feedback. Aside from the Mac, the Force Touch feature will be included in Apple Watch, and rumors suggest Force Touch is coming to the next iPhone as well, so a familiarity with how it works on one Apple device should carry over to others.

Apple describes features of the Force Touch API as follows:

• Force click. Apps can have any button, control, or region on the screen respond to a press of stronger pressure. This Force click can provide a shortcut to additional functionality within the app.

• Accelerators. Pressure sensitivity in the trackpad enables apps to give users greater control. For instance the fast-forward button in media playback can speed up as pressure increases.

• Pressure sensitivity. Drawing and other creative apps can take advantage of the pressure-sensing capabilities of the trackpad to make lines thicker or give the brush a changing style.

• Drag and Drop. Apps can add the springLoaded property to their controls so they can react to a Force click gesture while in the middle of performing a drag, for instance to immediately open a new target for the drop.

The new bundled Photos app aims to replace iPhoto in OS X, with an interface that is familiar to iOS users and heavy iCloud integration.

Other features, bug fixes, and improvements to OS X Yosemite are certain to be included in the final release.

Separately, Apple has released a new beta build of OS X Server 4.1 for developers, and iOS 8.3 beta 3 for iPhone and iPad developers.