Apple’s 9 September launch event was so jam-packed full of announcements, there wasn’t enough time to mention the availability of OS X 10.11 El Capitan. Or was there?
The company might have devoted its big event to the launch of the iPhone 6S, the iPad Pro, and the new Apple TV, but it managed to sneak in a launch date for OS X 10.11 too.
It wasn’t exactly the subtlest of easter eggs, but according to a test email from Phil Schiller that appeared on stage during an iPhone 6S skit, “The El Capitan ship date is September 30.”
The text on the El Capitan preview page has also changed to reflect this new date.
Given El Capitan’s relatively modest range of tweaks and improvements, it’s perhaps understandable that Apple wouldn’t want to shout from the rooftops about its launch.
Also, the update has been available as a public beta since July, so the new OS is hardly an unknown quantity.
Additions include new gestures, an enhanced Spotlight tool, an improved Safari with pinnable sites, improved multiple desktop support, and a Windows-like split view. El Capitan will also see the arrival of Metal, the core graphics technology that debuted on iOS, which will provide app and game developers with more direct access to the Mac’s GPU.
SEE ALSO: OS X El Capitan Features – What’s new?
Plus, El Capitan will come with all the usual performance improvements and minor tweaks you’d expect of a new release.
OS X 10.11 El Capitan will be available to download for free in just 20 days.
Next, watch our MacBook Pro 13-inch review video:
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.