Safari 5.1.4 Released for Mac and Windows Testers

Apple has put out a notice to all registered developers informing that a new version of the Safari web browser is available for testing. The update boasts faster JavaScript on OS X Lion, delivers plug-in fixes, multi-touch enhancements, and more.

Labeled as “Safari 5.1.4 Update for Mac and Windows”, the new seed arrives via Apple’s Developer channel.

Registered developers can download separate versions for OS X Lion, Snow Leopard, and Windows. For Lion and Snow Leopard testers, Apple also provides uninstallers.

According to the seed notes supplied with Safari 5.1.4, the Lion build features many fixes that enhance JavaScript performance. Developers are asked to test webpages that use JavaScript while keeping an eye out for any potential compatibility issues.

Next up - Plug-Ins & Zooming. This focus area asks developers to test interaction with plug-ins, as well as the appearance of plug-in content while zooming. Apple specifically asks devs, “Please test zooming using gestures and keyboard shortcuts.”

Finally, PDF printing must be tested with the new Safari. Programmers must analyze how the browser behaves with PDFs loaded into Safari, as well as with PDFs displayed in iframes. They must also test links in PDFs created from webpages using Safari 5.1.4.

It is unclear when or how Safari 5.1.4 will be released to the general population. For example, the latest update to the web browser was released as part of OS X 10.7.3, the latest version of Apple’s Lion operating system. There is no standalone Safari 5.1.3 to download at the moment.

Also noteworthy is that Safari 5.1.3 doesn’t have its own set of release notes. At first glance, the new version is identical to the previous one (5.1.2) and, for all we know, could very well be identical.

There’s a good chance the new Safari 5.1.4 will also be released in a future Lion update. Apple is investigating a “CUI” error on OS X 10.7.3 machines and may release a new 10.7.3 build in a matter of days.