14 DAY TRIAL // The development of the fourth Mountain Lion software update has commenced with Apple seeding OS X 10.8.4 to select customers via the AppleSeed program, as well as via developer channels.
Apple asks developers to focus on Wi-Fi, Graphics Drivers, and Safari, these being the main areas of interest for OS X 10.8.4 Build 12E27, the first of several builds to come over the coming weeks / months.
If OS X 10.8.3 was any indication, Apple is perusing Mountain Lion betas more diligently now.
People familiar with the software are reporting that Apple initially rolled out OS X 10.8.4 to select customers in its AppleSeed database. Shortly afterwards, registered Apple developers were also handed the beta.
For those who aren’t familiar with Apple Software Customer Seeding, it is a program where customers (chosen by Apple on certain referrals) are invited to test pre-release software products.
These real-world testers sign an NDA and agree to try their best to provide Apple Software Engineering with quality and usability feedback.
“This program gives you a first look at new and upcoming software products while empowering you with the ability to provide feedback directly into engineering,” says Apple.
“We want to collect feedback from our customers to improve the overall quality of our products by testing it in many different environments. Your experience with our products impacts our future success and this program will help us facilitate that goal,” the company adds.
Even if Apple decides to speed up development, regular customers still shouldn’t expect OS X 10.8.4 to arrive any time soon.
As it is the case with any new major update, Apple will carry out thorough testing to iron out any bugs before a final, public release.
Developers can download the beta now from Apple’s servers using the OS X Software Update Seed Configuration Utility.