Brief Mac OS X Beta Preview - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Brief Mac OS X Beta Preview

A ZDNet article previews some features in the soon-to-be-released Mac OS X Beta:

However, sources cautioned, users won't find a seamless combination of "modern OS" features such as protected memory with the compatibility and user-friendliness of the traditional Mac operating system.

Instead, they said, Mac OS X still retains many of the functions of its progenitor: NeXTstep, the OS Apple purchased in 1996 along with Jobs' NeXT Software Inc.


...is that a bad thing? Anyhow - of note, Java 2, OpenGL 3D and SMP are supported in the new beta.


UPDATE (blakespot):  Also of note--no dual monitor support! The text of this preview seems to indicate that it will not even install on a multiple-monitor Mac. Well, if true, this negates OS X beta's utility in my world. It would also be strange, as MacOS X DP4 does support multiple monitors (even DP3 did, but just barely). Hmmm... I'll definitely be keeping my fingers crossed.

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....