Following on the heels of the sixth release of OS X Yosemite Developer Preview, Apple has updated the public beta version of Yosemite to Beta 2.

You can update to the newest public version of Yosemite using the Software Update item, located under the Apple menu. Alternatively, you can launch the Mac App Store by clicking the App Store icon in your Dock. Once the store opens, select the Updates icon at the top of the store.

OS X Yosemite Beta 2 requires that iTunes 12 also be installed. If you haven't yet upgraded your copy of the Yosemite beta to include iTunes 12, be sure to select both items for the update.

Yosemite Beta 2 appears to be the same as, or at least very close to, the developer preview version released earlier this week.

Apple lists the known issues with Yosemite Beta 2 as:

Safari

• Safari may hang when playing certain Netflix content.

iPhoto and Aperture

• iPhoto 9.5.1 and Aperture 3.5.1 are required in OS X Yosemite. You can update to these versions from the Mac App Store.
• Text and other interface elements, such as checkboxes and radio buttons, may not display properly.
• Photos shared via Twitter and Messages may be rendered at a reduced size.

iCloud

• The shared purchase history page on the Mac App Store is disabled for Family Sharing accounts.

Apple's list of known issues for the public beta is relatively small, but that doesn't mean that Yosemite is fast approaching a release date. In fact, Apple is actively seeking for all beta users to agree to allow it to share application crash data with developers, to help them iron out kinks.

I suspect we'll see one or more additional Yosemite Public Beta releases, and quite a few more Developer Preview releases, before OS X Yosemite sees its formal release.

If you would like to participate in the public beta program, you can sign up at Apple's OS X Beta page.

Additionally, you can find Yosemite installation instructions, along with useful information, in the OS X Yosemite section of our web site.