Alongside iOS 7.1.1, Apple has introduced a new OS X beta program that will see non-developers given an opportunity to download OS X betas before they are released to the public. Previously, participating in OS X betas required a developer account, priced at $99 per year.
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Join the OS X Beta Seed Program and accept the Beta Seed and Confidentiality Agreement. Apple will provide a Beta Access Utility for your Mac, which gives you access to pre-release versions of OS X in the Mac App Store Updates panel.
Users can apply to join the beta program on Apple's new Appleseed Beta website, which allows users to apply using an Apple ID.Apple requires everyone who signs up to sign a confidentiality agreement, which prevents users from disclosing, publishing, or disseminating confidential information to anyone not also enrolled in the Appleseed program.
After agreeing to keep beta information confidential, Apple asks users to make a backup on their Macs before downloading a special Beta Access Utility App which allows a Mac to be enrolled for beta software updates. All updates will be delivered via the Mac App Store, similar to standard OS X updates.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)So some of us are wasting $99 a year..Nice..
That depends. Do you just get the beta software, or do you also get a whole load of developer resources along with the developer software?
(college student)
As a pending Software developer, this is good news.
(college student)
Same here. OS X 10.10 here we come!
So you would have to run the software in a virtual environment? As a normal user, I wouldn't want to run into bugs in apps regularly used, if my only OS was a beta.
Sort of a risky move for non devs, if you ask me..
Bro, do you even back-up?
Hmmm.... wonder if something like this for iOS could follow, seeing how so many people found ways to adopt iOS 7 months early last year.
Would be great if something similar was done for iOS beta releases.