Apple rolls out sixth El Capitan beta build in two months

By Brad Bourque August 3, 2015

The next version of OS X is called El Capitan, focuses on refining Yosemite — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Since announcing the OS X El Capitan beta at WWDC, Apple has released a steady stream of developer betas, with the sixth build so far rolling out through the software update application. The build, which is labeled “15A244d” doesn’t note any major changes in the update notes, and comes hot on the heels of the previous two updates.

Mac OS X El Capitan falls on the odd half of Apple’s major OS updates. Instead of revamping the interface or adding massive software updates, this version of the OS simply expands on the functionality of Yosemite while improving under the hood performance. The integration of Metal from iOS is said to drastically improve the graphics and animations at the core of the OS, for a smoother experience overall.

In addition, essential apps like Notes and Safari have been updated with new features and better iCloud integration. Spotlight has been revamped too, to float around like its own application instead of being stuck in the menu bar, and a new font has been implemented called San Francisco, which Apple developed originally for the Apple Watch, but is now making its way to the desktop OS. Likewise, this update is likely just bug fixes and more polish on the way to a final version, which should hit non-developer Apple computers in September, although no firm release date has been set yet.

If you’re a registered developer, or a participant in the El Capitan beta, the update may already be available via the Software Update program, or the beta landing page. No major compatibility or functionality issues have been reported with this build yet, but we’ll keep an eye out and update this post if there are.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Brad Bourque is a native Portlander, devout nerd, and craft beer enthusiast. He studied creative writing at Willamette…

Computing

Get this Asus laptop with a year of Microsoft Office for $199

asus vivobook go laptop deal amazon march 2024 lifestyle

You don't need to spend several hundreds of dollars on a new laptop that you'll use as a productivity tool because there are budget-friendly options like the Asus Vivobook Go L510MA. It's actually currently even cheaper from Walmart after an $80 discount, which brings its price down to just $199 from $279 originally. There's no telling how much time is remaining before the offer expires though, so if you want to take advantage of it, you're going to have to proceed with the purchase as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the Asus Vivobook Go L510MA
For a laptop that will be able to handle basic activities like doing online research, building reports, and browsing social media, you can't go wrong with the Asus Vivobook Go L510MA. It's equipped with the Intel Pentium Silver N5030 processor and 4GB of RAM, which are a far cry from the specifications of the best laptops, but it will be enough for simple tasks. The device also comes with a 15.6-inch screen with Full HD resolution, which is pretty large and sharp for its price, but it's still portable as it only weights about 3.5 pounds with a thickness of just 0.72 of an inch.

Computing

These are the 10 best gaming PCs I’d recommend to anyone

Graphics card in the CLX Hathor PC.

We review dozens of gaming PCs each year. In 2024, there are a ton of great options, but we've narrowed them down to a list of the 10 best gaming desktops that deserve your hard-earned money.

In 2024, we still recommend the Alienware Aurora R16 because of its fantastic design, solid performance, and decent value. However, there are several other options depending on your needs and budget. If you want a deeper look into how we evaluate gaming PCs, make sure to read about how we review desktops.

Computing

Samsung’s crazy 57-inch curved 4K monitor is $700 off today

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 57-inch mini-LED gaming monitor placed on a desk.

Your investment in gaming PC deals will go to waste if you don't upgrade your screen, and if you're willing to splurge for the best possible gaming experience, you'll want to go for the 57-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor. It's pretty expensive at its original price of $2,500, so you're going to want to take advantage of any discounts that are available. Fortunately, Samsung has slashed its price by $700 so it's down to $1,800 -- it's still not cheap, but once you're playing your favorite games on this monitor, you'll quickly understand why it's worth every single penny.

Why you should buy the 57-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor features a 57-inch screen with dual 4K Ultra HD resolution and a 1000R curvature, so it will fully immerse you in the worlds of the video games that you play with its lifelike details and vivid colors. It also supports HDR 1000 for better visual accuracy, and it uses Quantum Matrix technology for controlled brightness and improved contrast.