Apple Opens OS X Mavericks Beta Testing

Before today, you needed a developer account to help test Apple’s upcoming software releases before they hit the general user population. You didn’t need to actually develop anything, but it would still cost you $99 per year to partake, and technically it was still sort of against the rules. Today, Apple introduced its OS X Beta Seed Program to make pre-release Mac operating system software available to all who want to help try it out.

Once signed up, users can test out Mavericks pre-release builds before they’re launched for everyone else, and then submit feedback to Apple to help it iron out the kinks before general launch. It’s not for everybody, but early adopters who appreciate getting the chance at a sneak peak of tweaks before they come to market will appreciate the opportunity.

The program comes with its own special utility software for installation on your Mac, which makes pre-release versions of OS X visible in your Mac App Store’s Updates tab. You’ll also need to agree to Apple’s Beta Seed and Confidentiality Agreement to participate, which is probably quite similar to the one it makes developers sign before testing software, but there’s no fee to participate.