Leopard's Latest Pre-release Builds Reveal New Elements

The latest pre-release builds of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard revealed some new elements to developers that were testing them. These elements include some additional file recovery tools and interface tweaks that did not appear in previous reports, AppleInsider reports.

The new version of Disk Utility that is expected to ship with the new system software, reveals a File Recovery panel that includes presets for iTunes and iPhoto file types, as well as a "Custom" option who's aim is aiding the recovery process of files from additional applications.

A message in this panel reads: File recovery works best on disks whose files are not heavily fragmented and have not been overwritten by new files. File Recovery will not be able to recover files that have been Secure Erased.

AppleInsider thinks that the Disk Utility function is more likely a tie-in to Apple's Time Machine application, which will offer Leopard users automatic backups of their data files and application histories.

Spotlight is also reported to feature some new enhancements. These features include the ability to perform math algorithms from the Spotlight search pane (without having to launch Apple's Calculator application) and Spotlight can now search for word definitions by interfacing with Mac OS X Dictionary application.

The Mac OS X Firewall has been relocated to the Security preference pane from the Sharing pane. AppleInsider also says that the redesigned Firewall pane is reminiscent of the third party application Little Snitch and similarly alerts users via a pop-up dialog when an external machine attempts to access a service.

The developers have gained access from Apple to a variety of new user interface controls as well, controls that include capsule shaped buttons and segmented button controls. These controls will support resolution independence, a feature that is expected in Leopard and will allow the Mac OS X user interface to maintain the same physical size while gaining resolution and crispness from high dpi displays.