Newest OS X might launch July 25

Mountain Lion, Apple Inc.'s newest operating system for desktop and laptop computers, may launch on July 25, an enthusiast site reported.

 

A post on 9to5mac.com cited information that Apple stores in the United States and overseas had planned "overnights" for July 24.

 

"With OS X Mountain Lion launching 'in July,' according to Apple, we believe that it is sensible to speculate that this overnight may point to a public launch the following day," it said.

 

But it also noted the overnights may be smaller for this year, as Mountain Lion is not being launched alongside hardware.

 

Last year, Lion was launched along with new Mac Minis and MacBook Air laptops.

 

"One employee tells us that it is basically just a few guys running around with the master image installing it on every Mac.  Notably, some stores we’ve spoken to haven’t heard of any overnight…yet," it said.

 

It added July 25 would come a day after Apple is expected to announce its quarterly earnings for 2012.

 

The site noted Apple launched OS X Lion on July 20 last year, a day after its Q3 2011 earnings announcement.

 

"It appears that Apple may follow that same pattern this year," 9to5mac.com said.

 

OS X Mountain Lion will be an upgrade worth $19.99 and will be available through the Mac App Store on launch day.

 

Earlier, Apple already released to developers the Golden Master – build number 12A269 - a 4.34-GB Mac App Store download.

 

But 9to5mac.com also said this may also be a "coincidence" as Apple often holds Tuesday overnights.

 

"But, there is already under two weeks left in July, and with last year’s launch pattern prime for repetition (launch announcement during the upcoming earnings call), we’d say a July 25th launch is increasingly likely," it added. — TJD, GMA News