Messages Beta Pulled Ahead Of OS X Mountain Lion Release
June 12, 2012
In advance of the official launch of OS X Mountain Lion in July, Messages Beta has been quietly pulled by Apple from its Web site, as noted by Cult of Mac.
Messages for Mac is a desktop messaging utility that essentially ties up with iMessage for iOS. In February, its beta version was released for public usage alongside the developer build of Mountain Lion. A link to download Messages Beta from Apple's servers was made available then, but now the same link simply redirects to the upcoming operating system's description page. Moreover, the beta app is still featured in Apple's Downloads page, but the link therein also redirects to the Mountain Lion page.
If you were able to install Messages Beta, you can continue using it until the final version's release as part of Mountain Lion. If you failed to do so, however, it's recommended that you just wait for the official launch of the app rather than resorting to third-party channels.
Messages Beta has been understandably buggy, but it has managed to serve part of iMessage's user base, which comprises 140 million users. This number is, of course, expected to grow following the app's stable integration into Mountain Lion. Touted by Apple as "the world's most advanced desktop operating system," Mountain Lion is set to become available in July for only $19.99.
Source: Cult of Mac