14 DAY TRIAL // People enrolled with Apple’s annual developer program are receiving email invitations to download and test out the latest Mavericks update, OS X 10.9.2 Build 13C39.
Apple developers with a paid account can immediately download OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 by using the Mavericks Seed Configuration utility. Apple explains:
“Log into your Apple Developer account and download the ‘OS X Software Update Seed Configuration Utility.’ After running the installer, the Mac App Store will open automatically. Click on the Updates panel and the latest version of OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 seed will now be available for download.”
As usual, the Cupertino company is providing this build for testing and development purposes, stating that “Should you encounter any problems, please submit a bug report using the online Bug Reporter at bugreporter.apple.com.”
People familiar with the software say that Apple wants developers to focus their attention on Mail, Messages, Graphics Drivers, VoiceOver, VPN, and SMB2.
Apple provides these key testing areas as guidance, but it relies on developers’ wisdom to check other areas of the system for bugs and report them back to the mothership.
OS X betas typically spend between one month and three months in development, but the company has been known to comb for bugs even longer than that.
Mavericks was released in fall of 2013, but a new version is already in development and planned for showcase at this year’s WWDC event, according to people with knowledge of Apple’s M.O.
The next-generation Mac OS is believed to mark the jump to version 11, leading to speculation that Apple might designate the software “OS XI.”
Also in development is iOS 7.1, the next update to the Cupertino giant’s flat new mobile operating system installed on millions of iPhones and iPads worldwide. Neither OS X 10.9.2 nor iOS 7.1 has a public release date.