14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has released a software update that includes general updates and improvements to the fourth preview of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, currently in beta testing by registered Apple developers.
Available for download through the Mac App Store’s Software Update mechanism, OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 Developer Preview 4 comes labeled as a new test build – 12A256. The former DP4 release was numbered 12A248.
Developers currently testing DP4 can install the 1GB update instantly via the Mac App Store, whereas testers who haven’t installed DP4 need to make a trip to Apple’s Mac Dev Center to get a redemption code, in order to download the bits from the Mac App Store.
“If you already have Mountain Lion Developer Preview 4 installed, choose Software Update from the Apple menu to download the update from the Mac App Store,” says Apple.
“If you haven’t already installed Mountain Lion Developer Preview 4, get your download code from the Mac Dev Center. You can redeem this code to download Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store,” the company tells developers in an email.
As they attempt to update, developers are greeted by a new message from Apple: “Install this update as soon as possible.” The reason? Security. Full changelog below:
OS X Security Update Test 1.0 — Restart Required This update tests the new Mountain Lion Security Update system. The new system includes: - Daily checks for required security updates - The ability to install required security updates automatically or after restarting your Mac - A more secure connection to Apple’s update servers This update includes general updates and improvements to Mountain Lion Developer Preview 4.
So, while the main purpose of 12A256 is to test the security features of OS X Mountain Lion, developers can also expect other minor changes throughout the OS.
OS X Mountain Lion is the ninth major release of Apple's desktop operating system. The software is scheduled to launch publicly in July, 2012 (next month).
