Mar 13 2007
Mac OS X 10.4.9 updates posted. Harbinger of an early Leopard release?
Today Apple posted a barrage of Mac OS X updates bringing the operating system and server software up to version 10.4.9. Launch Software Update to get the download that was tailor made for your particular Tiger set-up. Here are the links for future reference (also check them out for all that has been updated, changed, added and protected against as the list is too long to publish here):
Mac OS X Server 10.4.9 Update (PPC)
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update (PPC)
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update (Intel)
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Update (Intel)
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Update (PPC)
Mac OS X Server 10.4.9 Update (Universal)
Mac OS X Server 10.4.9 Combo Update (Universal)
Mac OS X Server 10.4.9 Combo Update (PPC)
I have no sources on the inside at Apple, I have no crystal ball or special insight on when Apple plans to release Mac OS X 10.5 “Leopard.” But I do doubt reports that the next generation of Mac OS X is going to be released in late April. Is this 10.4.9 update the harbinger of 10.5? Well, yes if only that 10.5 comes immediately after 10.4.9, but how long you’ll have to wait for the OS-odometer to click over to 10.5 is still not clear.
I could be wrong, I’ve been wrong before and I welcome the opportunity to be wrong again. But beside the comments of a few developers I’ve talked to who say that the builds of Leopard that they have been using are unstable and “bugs-o-plenty,” I also recall that previous major Mac OS X release dates were announced well in advance of the actual drop date. Apple seems to really like to ramp up anticipation for its big releases. Apple Stores hold big events to launch the OSs, closing midday to reopen and celebrate the new “X” later that evening. Apple probably also enjoys grabbing the money for the new operating system releases in the form of preorders in advance of the actual release date. It’s good for news, it’s good for business and it’s good theater.
Maybe Apple will announce a release date in late April, but I’m guessing they won’t be releasing Leopard that early.
Agree? Disagree? The discussion is here.
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