Just months after releasing its latest Mac OS X 10.6 operating system, Apple began work on its successor, 10.7, according to reports. Indications of a new build number in an OS component and a new error message lead some to believe the Cupertino, Calif. company has begun development.
A database for Mac OS X’s boot software “launchd” mentions “11A47,” causing some to feel the Cupertino, Calif. company is at work on a new version of its operating system. MacRumors, which first reported on the hints, suggested the “11A” portion means Apple is working on an early version of the OS. The “47” portion indicates the company has been working on the new version “for at least the last month or two.”
When Mac OS X 10.6 “Snow Leopard” was first detected, it carried the “10A432” build number. Updates 10.6.1 and 10.6.2 carried 10B and 10C prefixes.
A new error message, using the build number, also appears to show 10.7 is in the works:
” 11A47: SecurityAgent no longer visible via Accessibility”
Mac OS X 10.6 was often viewed as centered on changes not readily visible to the user, whereas many see 10.7 including major new features. No release date has been set for 10.7.
Apple has had great success with its release of Snow Leopard in August. The 10.6 software garnered double the sales of Leopard introduced in 2007 and four times that of 10.5 “Tiger” unveiled in 2005.
[Via MacRumors, AppleInsider]
