Apple releases Catalina 10.15 GM seed to developers for testing

Apple has released what is likely the release candidate of macOS Catalina to beta testers, in a final push to eradicate launch bugs.

The latest macOS Catalina beta released less than a week after the tenth beta appears focused on bug eradication. There are no new features highlighted or obvious versus beta 10.

The release of macOS Catalina isn't scheduled any more specifically than October. Apple's regional website in Denmark suggested that the operating system would be released on October 4.

If accurate, the October 4 release date would be contrary to most Apple OS releases. As a general rule, Apple rolls out full releases of software on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Announced in June, macOS Catalina incorporates new technologies like Voice Control, second-screen capabilities with a connected iPad through Sidecar, and a refreshed user interface. Other major additions include Project Catalyst, a development framework that enables app makers to more easily port iOS software to Mac, and a breakup of iTunes.

43 Comments

blastdoor 15 Years · 3594 comments

About 5 years ago

As the release date approaches, I'm becoming convinced I just can't install it on any Mac I own. For my home Mac I refuse to let go of some 32 bit games. For my work Mac, there are vitally important apps that are still 32 bit.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out -- will Apple be forced to walk back the decision to kill off 32 bit apps? Probably not, but I bet uptake on Catalina will be much slower than past operating systems.

bobolicious 10 Years · 1177 comments

I wish Apple would return to release on merit rather than on a planned calendar basis.

10.4 & 10.6 come to mind as precedents spanning multiple years:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS_version_history#Timeline

Did Steve Jobs end MacWorld for similar reasons ie. the annual deadline presssure it put on Apple?

Has such a burden been transferred more on new hardware customers ?

Should buyers get new macs soon if wanting the fullest support on the current not-just-out-of-beta macOS...?

Mike Wuerthele 8 Years · 6906 comments

blastdoor said:

As the release date approaches, I'm becoming convinced I just can't install it on any Mac I own. For my home Mac I refuse to let go of some 32 bit games. For my work Mac, there are vitally important apps that are still 32 bit.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out -- will Apple be forced to walk back the decision to kill off 32 bit apps? Probably not, but I bet uptake on Catalina will be much slower than past operating systems.

I don't foresee them walking back the 32-bit thing.

FWIW, developers have been able to compile 64-bit for over a decade. I know it's not as simple as a checkbox in many cases, but still.

MisterKit 8 Years · 514 comments

I wonder if a new Mac shipping with Catalina could be rolled back to an earlier version. It’s a little over my head whether the built in security chips would not allow a rollback.

Mike Wuerthele said:

blastdoor said:

As the release date approaches, I'm becoming convinced I just can't install it on any Mac I own. For my home Mac I refuse to let go of some 32 bit games. For my work Mac, there are vitally important apps that are still 32 bit.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out -- will Apple be forced to walk back the decision to kill off 32 bit apps? Probably not, but I bet uptake on Catalina will be much slower than past operating systems.

I don't foresee them walking back the 32-bit thing.

FWIW, developers have been able to compile 64-bit for over a decade. I know it's not as simple as a checkbox in many cases, but still.

Apparently the ability to compile to 64 bit does not mean that developers will do it :-(