Apple releases surprise update for no-longer-supported OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
When it comes to supporting older operating systems (or not), it is usually Microsoft that we are talking about. But this week Apple took its users by surprise by releasing an update to Snow Leopard -- the lengthily-named Mac App Store Update for OS X Snow Leopard.
If you are wondering why an OS update should come as a surprise, it is because support for Snow Leopard came to an end in the latter half of 2013. It is an update that is ostensibly about ensuring continued access to the Mac App Store, but it also helps to give Snow Leopard users an easier path to upgrade to El Capitan.
The update description is short and sweet, and it does not make it sound like anything too exciting. With the most recent versions of OS X delivered through the App Store, and Apple is keen for as many people as possible to run the latest editions, the update makes perfect sense. Apple explains that the (deep breath...) Mac App Store Update for OS X Snow Leopard:
- Installs a renewed intermediate signing certificate required by the Mac App Store. The certificate ensures that you can continue to use the Mac App Store in Snow Leopard to purchase new apps and run any previously purchased apps that use receipt validation.
- Includes improvements to Mac App Store alerts.
Unless you're a PowerPC user, you'll probably want to hit the Apple menu and select the Software Update option.
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