14 DAY TRIAL // The first pre-release build of OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3 is now available for download through Apple’s developer channels. The Cupertino company is asking programmers to hone their testing skills with Game Center, AirPort, AirPlay, and other areas.
According to a notice on Apple’s Mac Dev Center, “OS X Mountain Lion Update 10.8.3” requires “OS X Software Update Seed Configuration Utility.”
Developers are being told to refer to the seed note before proceeding to install the test software on their Macs.
Carrying build number 12D32, the first OS X 10.8.3 beta asks testers to carry out maintenance on Game Center, AirPort, AirPlay, and graphics drivers.
Earlier this month Apple issued a notice which informed developers that the initial invitations to the 10.8.3 rollout had been sent prematurely.
“The [10.8.3] invites were sent out a little too early,” the company said. “We are working hard to provide you with a seed build soon, but we wanted to let you know that you have not missed any seed announcements.”
Apple instructed members of its developer community to “Look for more information about the 10.8.3 seed during the week of November 26th!”
The Cupertino giant seems to be wasting no time as the seeding actually occurred yesterday afternoon.
Apple so far has released OS X 10.8.1 and OS X 10.8.2 as the first maintenance updates for Mountain Lion customers. The latter update has seen some bumps in the road as well.
Tim Cook & Co. released not one, but two 10.8.2 “supplemental” updates attempting to fix multiple errors. At one time, Apple even pulled the second update and re-launched it via Support Downloads and the Mac App Store, marking three attempts to get it right.
OS X 10.8.3 will further polish up the latest Mac OS and, hopefully, bring some new features as well.