Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) unveiled the next iteration of its Mac operating system, OS X, on Monday. OS X Yosemite includes several major new features that make Apple’s desktop operating system better suited to a world of multiple, Internet-connected smart devices.

In particular, Apple made a number of major enhancements to its cloud services, while improving the connectivity between its iOS devices and its Mac computers.

Apple improves iCloud and email
Apple’s cloud storage service, iCloud, is much improved. In its previous incarnation, Apple’s cloud storage system worked in the background, backing up photos and documents without needing any input from the user. However, iCloud was limited in terms of its flexibility — without an actual folder system, iCloud is not easily used for online file storage.

The newest version of iCloud fixes this problem with the introduction of iCloud Drive. Now, iCloud will offer functionality on par with popular alternatives like Dropbox and OneDrive, giving Apple’s customers the ability to upload and access files directly to and from Apple’s servers.

ALSO READ: Best-Selling Products of All Time

In addition, Apple has also significantly enhanced its email program. A feature known as Mail Drop will allow Mac owners to send large email attachments using iCloud. Rather than send the attachment through the traditional email server, it will be synched to Apple’s cloud storage system; recipients will download it directly from Apple’s secure server.

Binding OS X and iOS
OS X Yosemite also includes features that will be particularly useful to owners of multiple Apple-made devices. For instance, iPhone owners will be able to sync their nearby iPhone to their Mac, giving them the ability to make and receive calls from their laptop or desktop rather than their iPhone. Further, documents open on an iOS device can be seamlessly edited on a nearby Mac: An email draft originally composed on a iPad, for example, can be picked up and finished on a Mac desktop.

Although these features will do little to improve OS X itself, users who own multiple Apple devices will likely find them invaluable.

Coming this fall
OS X Yosemite is set to debut this fall, and will roll out as a free update to owners of Macs manufactured within the last few years. Given the number of major enhancements, Apple will conduct a public beta test this summer, allowing typical users to demo the operating system.

Overall, OS X Yosemite appears to be a major step forward in improving Apple’s web services and device connectivity.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.