Apple may be planning to release the final version of OS X 10.8.4 in the near future, as it today sent out notices to AppleSeed members announcing the closure of the OS X 10.8.4 software update project.

As noted by AppleInsider, participants received a notification stating that weekend infrastructure maintenance requires the company to close existing products.

1084closed
The notice thanks AppleSeed members for participating and notes that an email will be sent out when the final version of the software is publicly available. Apple first released the OS X 10.8.4 beta on April 1st and released eight different builds, ending on build 12E55. Throughout the beta, Apple asked users to focus on Wi-Fi, Graphics Drivers, and Safari.

Top Rated Comments

katewes Avatar
135 months ago
Aside from the irritatingly slow shutdown, Mountain Lion 10.8.3 isn't giving me any problems - probably because I use fairly standard apps and hardware setup.

The only thing that would now make me upgrade to 8.4 is if Apple reduces shutdown time, otherwise, I'll just wait till they tidy everything up in the last update, perhaps 10.8.5

I feel aggrieved that, with new OS's coming out every year, that the previous OS never get to the level of rock solid performance that comes with a few iterations, such as 10.6.8 and 10.5.8 and 10.4.11

And all this updating of new OS's, FOR WHAT, APPLE!!!! If you look at the survey below,

http://www.macworld.com/article/2040308/survey-the-os-x-features-you-love-the-most-and-those-you-dont-love-at-all-.html

the poll shows that most people, including myself, hardly use any of the stupid new features. Yet, the price I've had to pay for these new OS's are upgrades to several software. The one that gets me irritated the most is that when ML came out, it wrecked my 4.10 VMWare setup, so I upgraded to VMWare 5.0, but the old VM data file didn't work under the 5.0 upgrade, so I had to reinstall the entire Microsoft Windows environment. And many of the old software I used in the XP environment weren't available, so I had to buy Windows 7. All this nonsense because Apple brought out Mountain Lion with silly main features that most people don't use.

Even with Messenger, why can't Apple just bring out an App? Why must they integrate it with the OS, so we are forced to upgrade? e.g. Skype messaging works great as an App that works cross-platform etc.

Furthermore, with these useless upgrades, my older iMac can't use Mountain Lion.

And Apple links its Mail program to the OS, so I cannot upgrade Mail in my older Macs (two of them). Why can't Apple create a standalone Mail app that is sold in the App Store, like Aperture or Final Cut Pro? I hardly use any of the ML-introduced features. I need to keep my IMAP in a very basic configuration so it doesn't go crazy. IMAP can be very temperamental, so I don't use these fancy smart boxes etc. Of course we know why - by integrating Mail into the OS, it forces us to buy new hardware when our old hardware can't run the latest OS with totally useless features that most people don't use.

You and I know we are all complicit in a game where Apple does anything to force us to buy new hardware more frequently than we really need. It's a mugs game. But, sad to say, I'm not ready to shift to Windows 8 yet. Apple is the lesser of two evils.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imacken Avatar
135 months ago

And all this updating of new OS's, FOR WHAT, APPLE!!!! If you look at the survey below,
http://www.macworld.com/article/2040308/survey-the-os-x-features-you-love-the-most-and-those-you-dont-love-at-all-.html
the poll shows that most people, including myself, hardly use any of the stupid new features.
Why is it, that when people don't use something, they call it 'stupid' or other such terms? Very weird. It's almost as if they don't consider that there are many people who have a different opinion.
Why don't non-users just say, 'I don't like it, so I won't use it'? That is their choice. No need for mindless comments like 'stupid new features'.
I actually find the usage figures in that survey for the most useful features- IMHO - very encouraging.
75% use Messaging, 82% Notification Center and 67% Reminders.
What I will say is that most of the new features only come into their own if you have iOS devices synced to your Mac.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3282868 Avatar
135 months ago
Um, this isn't good news. I still have open and acknowledged issues with WiFi using both 2.4 and 5 GHz spectrums, com.apple.launchd issues (sleepservices, memory, iCloud stability), and others. All effecting my Mac Pro, Mac Mini, MacBook Air (all current gen) and a 2011 27" iMac. Let's not even get into OpenGL Core support.

Apple, get on the ball with OS X.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacsRgr8 Avatar
135 months ago
I can't remember Apple ending a Beta Testing Program before..?

Usually the last seed of a beta... well just is the last seed, which becomes the GM = Public.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3282868 Avatar
135 months ago
It's a little bit more complicated than simply "ignoring" a stupid feature and applauding the minority of people that do use it. Apple's resources are limited and they have internal deadlines. That means working on useless eye-candy and silly-assed features for a minority of users only detracts the coders from working on more important things most all of us could actually use.
Exactly. People forget or never knew that Apple keeps a small team of iOS/OS X engineers and often moves them between departments. OS X engineers are often pulled into iOS development, resulting in OS X delays such as Leopard. However, Leopard's delays were forgiven as the iPhone launch was paramount to Apple's future in mobile computing. Many of us gave it a pass believing it a one time hiccup.

With Apple's monetary resources, it's time they hired more engineers and ended the "Jobsonian" need to keep small, tight knit interchangeable groups. The company has grown rapidly, requiring more in house engineers and designers. It's been apparent since 10.6 that OS X is suffering from a lack of engineering and focus.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3282868 Avatar
135 months ago

I feel aggrieved that, with new OS's coming out every year, that the previous OS never get to the level of rock solid performance that comes with a few iterations, such as 10.6.8 and 10.5.8 and 10.4.11

And all this updating of new OS's, FOR WHAT, APPLE!!!! If you look at the survey below,

http://www.macworld.com/article/2040308/survey-the-os-x-features-you-love-the-most-and-those-you-dont-love-at-all-.html

the poll shows that most people, including myself, hardly use any of the stupid new features.

Well stated; excellent points. I sincerely hope WWDC is a return to power systems and pro-apps, iLife, iWork and 10.9 proving to be a shift back to stability, quality, efficiency, improved Finder and graphics support and iOS integration for those who use it for work (i.e. document syncing, opening access/less sandboxing in iOS 7). Keeping my fingers crossed.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...