OS X Beta Seed Program: Opened to Everyone!

I remember when the iOS 7 beta was released to developers and ultimately leaked out to the general public, it was pure chaos. I remember people in my school asking me how I had iOS 7 before it came out. Everyone, whether you're a tech junkie or not, wants to have something exclusive. And that very VIP status will diminish on the Mac side of things. Today Apple announced it's OS X Beta Seed Program to EVERYONE. Signing up for this free program allows users to access "pre-released software" for OS X. As said by Apple themselves,  

The OS X Beta Seed Program gives users the opportunity to run pre-release software. Test-drive beta software and provide quality and usability feedback that will help make OS X even better. 

In addition, Apple threw a curve ball in that you are not allowed to "blog, post screenshots, tweet, or publicly post information about the pre-release Apple software.". Every user that signs up must accept the Beta Seed and Confidentiality Agreement.

Now I did want to address some frequently asked questions (FAQs) in this post and you can continue to read the list by clicking here. You can sign up for the OS X Beta Seed Program, by clicking here.

Frequently asked questions

Who can participate?

The OS X Beta Seed Program is available to users who are 18 or older, have signed in with their Apple ID, and have accepted the OS X Beta Seed and Confidentiality Agreement.

Do I have to pay a fee to join the program or pay for software?

No. Both the program and software are free.

 

What's the difference between this program and the Mac Developer Program?

The OS X Beta Seed program provides access to pre-release OS X software. If you are a developer writing an app for OS X, you will benefit from the additional resources available through the Mac Developer Program.

 

Will installing the pre-release software from the OS X Beta Seed Program void my hardware warranty?

No, installing the beta seed does not void your hardware warranty.

How do I leave the OS X Beta Seed Program?

To leave the program, visit the Leave Program page and follow the instructions to remove your 

Apple ID and your computers from the OS X Beta Seed Program. This will stop pre-release 

updates from appearing in the Mac App Store on your computers.