14 DAY TRIAL // Developers running OS X Lion Preview 4 have a new version to download and test out. Launched through Software Update yesterday, the release weighs in at 650 MB and delivers immediately noticeable enhancements and fixes.
Mac OS X Lion Developer Preview 4 was released during this year’s edition of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference with new graphical elements, as well as under-the-hood tweaks.
As it did with previous Lion preview builds, Apple is now patching up the latest seed with this DP4 update (labeled Build 11A494A) that brings a new log in screen with a dark linen background.
The background motif is scattered throughout OS X Lion, not just present at the welcome screen.
For example, testers have found that it’s used as a background when Mission Control is invoked. It’s also present right behind the applications and application folders showing up in Launchpad.
Early tests also show that invoking Mission Control now defaults to an upward three- or four-finger swipe, according to cultofmac.com.
Some say the DP4 update changes the ‘About This Mac’ application. While indeed changed - icon buttons replaced with words - this is not the work of today’s Lion update. The alteration was made in the initial Lion DP4 seed, Softpedia can confirm.
Changes in Mail.app are also reported. These slightly affect its interface, but not by much.
A new bug has been discovered. Apparently two-finger swiping no longer facilitates moving back and forth through web pages in Safari.
Finally, the startup screen reportedly exhibits no more graphical glitches.
Developers who haven’t yet got a chance to download the original Lion DP4 build can do so through Apple’s Developer channels where they receive a code that can be used in the Mac App Store.
Only developers registered with Apple’s $99 a year program are eligible for this code.
As noted above, for those who have DP4 already installed, the newest release is readily available through Software Update.