Apple Discontinuing Messages Beta for Lion on December 14th

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messagesOn Friday, Apple sent out emails to customers that the company will be discontinuing the Messages Beta program for Lion on December 14th, 2012:

Dear [User],

The Messages Beta program for Lion will end on Friday, December 14, 2012. We hope you've enjoyed the opportunity to preview Messages.

If you'd like to continue using Messages, upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store. Messages is one of many great new apps and features built right into OS X Mountain Lion. Learn More.

Thank you for your participation in the Messages Beta program.

The email indicates that in order to continue to use Messages, users must upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion. OS X Mountain Lion is available for $19.99 on the Mac App Store [Direct Link].

Messages is Apple's iMessage client for the Mac, and replaces iChat in OS X Mountain Lion. Apple had originally launched it as a beta program for existing Lion users while Mountain Lion was being completed.

It has been long known that Apple planned on discontinuing the Lion beta, but Apple is only now given customers a timetable. While Apple suggests that customers can upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion to continue using Messages, some customers' computers may be too old to support the latest OS X release.

Top Rated Comments

dead_smed Avatar
dead_smed
114 months ago
I also find it annoying that it's soon going to expire. I have an old Mac Mini that isn't capable of running 10.8 and can't justify buying new hardware just for desktop iMessaging.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
zorinlynx
114 months ago
There is no technical reason to not allow Lion to use Messages. This crap is another way Apple is alienating its loyal users, including myself.

I wish they'd stop this stupidity.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
atMac Avatar
atMac
114 months ago
Hey, lets uninstall your iChat and let you install Messages. Oh now we don't want to release a finished Messages client for your OS so it will stop working and we won't give you iChat back..... Oh well! Here, spend $30.

----------

Can't blame them.

Yes you can, they shouldn't have released the beta to begin with if they didn't intend to release a final client.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
t22design Avatar
t22design
114 months ago
Yep it's annoying. I'm a MacBook user that can't upgrade to Mountain Lion and these constant fake limitations drive me mad. At least I can do Photo stream sharing on my Windows machine.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cclloyd Avatar
cclloyd
114 months ago
I feel like it should allow you to use it forever if its an older model that can't install 10.8.

ESPECIALLY if they are going to release a beta for it knowing that some users who download it won't be able to upgrade.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jeans89 Avatar
Jeans89
114 months ago
New slogan for Apple.

Apple - disconnecting people.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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