Kasper JadeIn its latest developer release of Mac OS X 10.3.6, Apple asks developers to test DVD playback and mass storage devices.
Since seeding the software to its Apple Developer Connection (ADC) members last week, Apple has ammended the list of areas where developers should focus their testing. The company is now asking that tests be run on DVD playback quality and mass storage devices— including external hard drives, optical drives, and card readers.
Prior to providing the system software to its ADC members, Apple said the update would deliver improvements to web browsing, audio, USB, graphics card drivers, and OpenGL. The company asked that developers diagnose new versions of Safari (1.2.4) and Calculator (3.2), while also focusing their testing efforts on audio applications, graphics, FireWire, USB, and OpenGL-intensive games.
Mac OS X 10.3.6 will also reportedly include significant changes to the handling of optical media, such as CDs and DVDs. Likewise, Apple has encouraged its developers to experiment with disc burning.
Although Apple had previously distributed a developer preview of Safari 1.3, the software does not appear in Mac OS X 10.3.6. According to sources, the Safari 1.3 preview may fail to function properly in current builds of the Mac OS X 10.3.6 Update. The incompatibility is subsequently noted in Apple's internal list of known issues.
The lastest developer release of Mac OS X 10.3.6, build 7R12, is only the second build to be posted to ADC members. And while the development of the system remains in the earlier stages, an official release is expected by mid-December.
Christine McKee
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
16 Comments
What about bug fixes? 10.3.6 better be a lot less buggy than 10.3.5 if they expect a lot of people to use it.
What about bug fixes? 10.3.6 better be a lot less buggy than 10.3.5 if they expect a lot of people to use it.
What bugs are you finding with 10.3.5. I've got two machines (G3 blue & white tower & 800mhz G4 iMac lamp) and haven't found any bugs yet.
In fact, 10.3.5 is the most stable OSX version I ever used. Besides a few small (Finder) glitches, it works smooth as butter. And no crashes at all.
In fact, 10.3.5 is the most stable OSX version I ever used. Besides a few small (Finder) glitches, it works smooth as butter. And no crashes at all.
Ditto. (And I can't believe it's not butter! )
I'd like more information on the changes in optical drive handling and disk burning. It's one of the areas where OS-X is a bit of a let down. For example, allowing the option to leave a disk open for further sessions when burning from the desktop. One of the many things I can do using WindowsXP at University but can't on my PowerBook, to my embarrassment.