14 DAY TRIAL // After being tipped off on Apple's pushing developers to deliver 64-bit support with a new Snow Leopard beta, AppleInsider has gained knowledge on the actual pre-release build cycles for Snow Leopard. Citing people familiar with the software, the source claims that final OS X 10.6 tests will span three 'key' build releases.
Those familiar with Apple's ongoing development of Mac OS X 10.6 have told the site that “Apple's roadmap for the final stretch of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard development currently calls for the release of three 'key' builds through the company's high-membership Apple Developer Connection.” Reportedly, “each of the builds will carry a significance in its own right, the first of which is scheduled to appear between now and the start of WWDC 2009 during the second week of June. This build will reportedly include 'big updates' to system components and functionality,” the same people are said to have told AppleInsider.
A second such 'key' build is scheduled for release sometime around the WWDC '09 kick off, the report goes to outline, noting that this particular build may be the first to define a "feature complete" build. The release will allegedly bundle significant changes to the interface as well. Lastly, a third and final build should arrive in the weeks between WWDC and the software's formal release, according to the same info leak. “This build is expected to serve as a lead-in to the final candidate stage that precedes the declaration of a Gold Master build suited for duplication on optical media,” those familiar with the matter allegedly tell AppleInsider.
It is believed that Apple will need at least two months to polish up the software between the WWDC '09 showcase and official public release. An August release is the most realistic forecast for the time being. As previously hinted, Apple is putting off the most radical (so to speak) cosmetic changes to OS X 10.6 for an unveiling at WWDC '09.