AppleInsider StaffThe most recent pre-release build of Apple Inc.'s Mac OS X Leopard operating system began making its way into developers' hands this past weekend, carrying with it a number of interface tweaks and a lengthy list of recommended testing suggestions.
Meanwhile, Apple also used build 9A527 to introduce both a new startup movie (below) and desktop picture. Both pieces of media sport a galactic motif that coincides with the theme of the company's Time Machine backup software — one of Leopard's trademark features.
Other interface changes apparent from leaked Leopard screenshots include a refined toolbar in Preview.app and new preference pane icons for Appearance, Desktop & Screen Saver, Sharing, and Parental Controls.
Developers who install the latest build are being asked by Apple to test the release rigorously. For instance, the company asked that new features — such as .Mac syncing of Dashboard widgets, Dock items and preferences — be evaluated alongside such common and long-established functions as printing and Spotlight Mail searches.
In addition to any quirks that may be discovered in build 9A527, Apple also informed developers of nearly a dozen known issues with Leopard that they hope to isolate in the coming weeks. Those weeks, however, are numbered; the Cupertino-based company has said it plans to release the software in the October timeframe.
In order to meet the self-imposed deadline, Apple in the next six weeks will need to completely rid Leopard of known issues, then seed several final candidate builds before declaring one Gold Master. Once declared Gold Master, Leopard will be released to manufacturing for duplication and retail packaging.
Alongside Friday's seeding of Mac OS X Leopard build 9A527, the company also seeded Mac OS X Leopard Server build 9A528a.
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77 Comments
It's getting close to release! Yeee!
Glad they reduced the transparency of the menu bar again. That was possibly one of Apple's strangest GUI desicions in recent history... Transparent menu bar... so that you can see the freaking background behind it better? Thanks for taking it back.
Have they fixed the strangely off-center (too low) icons in Finder?
Judging from this screenshot, it looks like the arrows are too high now. \
In order to meet the self-imposed deadline, Apple in the next six weeks will need to completely rid Leopard of known issues
Not really, that'll be 10.5.1. They just need to make it 95% workable and remove all kernel panic issues; the rest will get worked out over the next two or three months.
can't wait for the .mac syncing of my widgets between my laptop, iPhone and Apple TV. This is going to be cool.
Not really, that'll be 10.5.1. They just need to make it 95% workable and remove all kernel panic issues; the rest will get worked out over the next two or three months.
They had better do much better than 95%. That would be unusable. 99.99% is closer to usable.
10.5.1 won't fix too many of the remaining issues.
Maybe by 10.5 5.