Want to Beta Test Mac OS X? Now Anyone Can with Apple’s Beta Seed Program

Apple has expanded the availability of beta OS X system software to all Mac users, allowing potentially anyone to run the latest pre-release beta builds of the operating system for trials and feedback. Dubbed the OS X Beta Seed Program, this is the first time since the initial release of OS X that Apple has allowed non developers access to the beta OS builds.

While it may be appealing to many, the beta program is not recommended for primary use Macs or for novice users, as beta software is often buggy and incomplete, offering an experience that is not yet as refined as a public release. Accordingly, average Mac users with a single machine probably shouldn’t bother with the OS X Beta Seed program, making this best reserved for curious Mac users who have a spare machine they can run the beta builds on.

Mac users who are interested in this program will need to log into the Beta Seed website with an Apple ID, read and accept a lengthy Terms and Conditions agreement, back up their Macs with Time Machine, and then install an Apple utility to access the beta software downloads:  Check out the Apple Seed OS X Beta Program

Beta Test Mac OS X

Presumably the OS X Beta program will become considerably more interesting with the upcoming developer release of OS X 10.10, widely expected to be unveiled on June 2 at the Apple World Wide Developer Conference. The next major revision of Mac OS X (assumed to be OS X 10.10) is said to include a significant user interface overhaul, similar to that seen with iOS 7, which may have influenced Apple in opening up the beta versions to a wider audience before releasing the final version, anticipated to launch in the fall of this year. Currently, the beta version of OS X offered through the program is 10.9.3.

Upcoming OS X 10.9 Mavericks Wallpaper

OS X Mavericks Wallpaper is the gorgeous new background image for Apple’s upcoming OS X 10.9 Mavericks. This wallpaper is available for all screen resolutions with a source file that measures 5,120 x 2,880 pixels in dimension

 

OS X Mavericks Wallpaper

OS X 10.8.3 Beta 1 Released for Developers

The first beta of OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3 has been released to registered Mac developers. OS X 10.8.3 beta 1 is identified as build 12D32 and focuses on AirPlay, AirPort (wireless), Game Center, and graphics drivers, though it’s not yet clear if the intention is for bug fixing, feature enhancements, or a bit of both.

osx 10.8.3beta

Installing the release must be done through a new OS X Software Update Seed Configuration Utility, which is a separate download available to developers. The release notes indicate several known bugs with the first beta build.

Those registered with the Mac Developer program can download the 10.8.3 beta and the required Seed Configuration Utility directly from Apple’s Developer Center. Everyone else will have to wait until a public release is available sometime in the future

Apple iPhone 5 and New iPods: Announcement Today in San Francisco

Today, after months of rumors and speculation, Apple will announce its next iPhone – the iPhone 5. Starting at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is expected to take the stage and detail the new features of the phone.

Apple iPhone 5 and New iPods: Announcement Today in San Francisco

Thanks to those rumors (which we gathered together here) we have an idea of what Cook might just reveal. Numerous reports have revealed that the new iPhone will have a larger, 4-inch display, a new dock connector, a faster processor and LTE for faster data speeds. Purported photos of the phone have also leaked over the last few months, indicating that the phone will have a different design than the current iPhone 4S model.
Follow ABC News’ iPhone 5 Live Blog Here, Starting at 1 P.M. ET. 
When it comes to the software, the new iPhone will run Apple’s iOS 6, which the company detailed in June at its Worldwide Developers Conference. iOS 6 has a whole host of new features, including Apple’s own homebrewed maps app (which will replace Google Maps), Facebook integration, and a new passbook app, which organizes airplane tickets, coupons and other passes you might have.

YouTube is not preloaded with the new software, but earlier this week Google released a new iPhone YouTube app.

The iPhone 5 has been rumored to go on sale as early as today following and start shipping on Friday, Sept. 21st. The iOS 6 software will likely be released around the same time and will be available for previous versions of the iPhone via a download.

Demand for this version of the iPhone is one of the strongest in the history of the phone. Sites like Gazelle and Glyde, which buy older iPhones, have seen a huge surge in traffic over the last few days as people look to unload their phones in preparation for the new one. Some analysts predict the company might sell over 10 million phones within the first month of being on sale. Apple noted on its last earnings call that it saw a significant downtick in iPhone sales last quarter as consumers wait for the new phone.

In addition to the iPhone, Apple is also rumored to announce new iPods today, including a new iPod Shuffle, a redesigned iPod Nano and a new iPod Touch.

Apple is not expected to discuss the its smaller version of the iPad today. According technology sites and ABC News’ own sources Apple will hold another event in October to release the so-called iPad Mini.

ABC News will be live at the event at 1:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 a.m. PST. You can follow our live blog here. Stay tuned for our continuous coverage throughout the day.

Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 10

About Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 10

Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 10 delivers improved security, reliability, and compatibility by updating Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_35.

This update configures web browsers to not automatically run Java applets. Java applets may be re-enabled by clicking the region labeled “Inactive plug-in” on a web page. If no applets have been run for an extended period of time, the Java web plug-in will deactivate.

Please quit any web browsers and Java applications before installing this update.

SHA1 = 6218979ae4eaef5ea7849cb4455e2c6f8bf362d2

See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5368  for more details about this update.

See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222 for information about the security content of this update.

OS X Mountain Lion Will Be Released Tomorrow, July 25

No more rumors or speculation, Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that OS X Mountain Lion will launch tomorrow, July 25:

“We’re thrilled with record sales of 17 million iPads in the June quarter,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve also just updated the entire MacBook line, will release Mountain Lion tomorrow and will be launching iOS 6 this Fall. We are also really looking forward to the amazing new products we’ve got in the pipeline.”

That quote comes directly from Apple’s PR library ahead of the Q3 2012 earnings call this afternoon, and also serves to reiterate the release date of iOS 6 later this year, while also teasing for whatever “amazing new products” (new iPhone? iPad mini?) Cook is referring to.

OS X Mountain Lion Will Be Released Tomorrow, July 25

As we mentioned earlier in our recap of things to do before installing Mountain Lion, you’ll want to back up your Mac before installing OS X 10.8 on your Mac.

Mountain Lion Default wallpaper in difference size for iPad, widescreen and desktop

Mountain Lion Default wallpaper in difference size for iPad, iPhone, Macbook, Macbook Air, Macbook Pro Widescreen and desktop

Mountain Lion Default wallpaper 2560×1440

 

Mountain Lion Default wallpaper 3200×2000

Mountain Lion Default Wallpaper 1920 × 1200

Mountain Lion Default Wallpaper 1680 × 1050

Mountain Lion Default Wallpaper 1440 × 900

Mountain Lion Default Wallpaper 1280 × 1024

Mountain Lion Default Wallpaper 1280 × 800

Mountain Lion Default Wallpaper 1024 × 1024 iPad

Mountain Lion Default Wallpaper 1024 × 768