14 DAY TRIAL // Registered Apple developers can download a new beta of OS X 10.10.2 and test out key focus areas like Wi-Fi, Mail, and VoiceOver, according to a memo on the company’s developer portal.
OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 build 14C81f is the third beta in this development cycle which seems to be adding new focus areas with the release of every build. The first beta had no listed focus, while the second one mentioned Wi-Fi as the primary testing target.
Two new areas that need testing
With the release of OS X 10.10.2 build 14C81f, Apple is asking testers to focus their efforts on two additional areas of the operating system, besides Wi-Fi. These are Mail and VoiceOver. A total of three focus areas are currently listed, while the next beta could include even more.
There are no widespread reports about Mail or VoiceOver suffering from bugs, but one thing we can confirm is that Mail in Yosemite is considerably slower than in previous versions of Apple’s desktop operating system. This may have to do with the new Mail features delivered in Yosemite this year, including the Markup function, which pops up annotation tools for images attached to the email.
In our testing, we’ve observed that Markup takes a fair amount of time to load, and on occasion, it can even crash the application altogether. In fact, Mail in Yosemite is prone to crashing even without Markup enabled.
As far as VoiceOver is concerned, Apple could be addressing minor bugs that only a small number of users out there will know about. Despite being a popular accessibility feature, it only targets a fraction of the install base (for obvious reasons).
How to download and install
Most Apple developers will know this by now, but if you’re new to these betas and OS X seeding in general, you’ll need to visit the Mac Dev Center with your credentials in hand, download the OS X Software Update Seed Configuration Utility, and proceed to use it to obtain OS X 10.10.2 build 14C81f, as instructed in the seed notes (also available for download on the Mac Dev Center).
These builds are offered for testing and development purposes, and should not be used on production machines. You should not rely on the software to handle important files and personal information as the buggy nature of these betas can lead to security issues.
The Cupertino company also put forth a new Xcode beta this week. Developers can use it to code apps for OS X, iOS, and even the upcoming Apple Watch.
