14 DAY TRIAL // The next version of OS X has pretty much faded from sight after WWDC and the lukewarm reception of the top secret features. While users may not be overly eager to get their hands on Leopard, developers most certainly are if they are to write code for it. Those attending the World Wide Developers Conference received a preview version of the OS , and now, it has found its way to other developers.
Developers not attending WWDC had to wait until they could get their hands on the Leopard preview, but it is finally here as Apple has released the Leopard Early Start Kit with Leopard beta. The package includes access to an exclusive collection of digital resources and information, including WWDC07 Leopard Videos that contain tech talks and more, an updated Leopard Dev Center that includes Beta Reference Library documents, guides, release notes, sample code, and the beta itself. Furthermore, a collection called "Coding Headstarts" is available, providing video, a lesson guide and sample code.
This early start kit is only available to ADC Premier or Select members. ADC Select membership is priced at $500 an includes the start kit, access to the ADC Software Seeding Program, Mac OS X and Xcode Tools, 1 ADC Hardware Discount and more. Premier membership is priced at $3500 and includes the start kit, a Worldwide Developers Conference Ticket, 8 Technical Support Incidents and 10 ADC Hardware Discounts.
Of course, the Cupertino Company itself has not been sleeping, and Apple is believed to be distributing a new preview version of Mac OS X Leopard, the first such release since June. Anonymous sources suggest that build 9A499 is making the rounds of members in the Apple Developer Connection, and is nearly 7GB in size. Despite the update, developers seem unimpressed as there have been multiple accounts of the OS being plagued with bugs.