05/02, 7:00pm
No details on changes, version now set to 2.3
On Thursday, Apple released updated printer drivers for its supported Xerox printers for users of OS X Snow Leopard (10.6), Lion (10.7) and Mountain Lion (10.8). Unusually for such a release, there is not yet a list of the specific changed or added models supported by the built-in software. All three versions of OS X support a wide and expanding list of Xerox products, including standalone, all-in-one and wireless printer models, as well as some standalone scanners.
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04/30, 6:30pm
'New normal' weekly cycle stays mum on changes, fixes
Another six days have gone by, and thus another pre-release beta of the forthcoming 10.8.4 Mountain Lion has been seeded to developers for testing. The new build, 12E40, again lists no new changes or known issues, and asks developers to focus on the same areas as before: graphics, Safari and Wi-Fi performance. While not mentioned in the notes, the upcoming update adds support for the emerging 802.11ac wireless protocol.
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04/10, 1:03am
Release includes no new notes, but indicates new hardware on the way
[Updated with discovery of code for 802.11ac support] Apple is now seeding a second beta of OS X 10.8.4 to developers, reports say. The build is labelled 12E30, and as before comes with no known issues. Developers are also once again being asked to focus on Wi-Fi, Safari, and graphics drivers.
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04/01, 8:23pm
Notes are identical to final 10.8.3 betas
Just two weeks after Apple finally released Mountain Lion OS X 10.8.3 to Mac users, the development cycle on the next minor update, 10.8.4, has begun. Currently only available to AppleSeed testers, the first beta of 10.8.4 will be distributed to registered OS X developers through Software Update soon, and comes with no known issues. Curiously, the release notes on 10.8.4 are the same as the last betas of 10.8.3 -- asking testers to test Wi-Fi, graphics drivers and Safari. The new build, 12E27, is likely focused on bug fixes.
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03/14, 5:26pm
Makes Boot Camp upgrades, adds gift card scanning for Mac App Store
Following an unusually long development cycle, Apple has finally released the completed version of OS X 10.8.3. The software is mostly a maintenance update -- for instance fixing problems with stuttering sound on 2011 iMacs, Logic Pro freezing when using some plugins, and apps crashing when opening file URLs. It makes several enhancements as well however, such as adding Safari 6.0.3 and upgraded Boot Camp features. The latter now supports Windows 8, and can run on Macs with 3TB hard drives.
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03/12, 2:31pm
Unusually long testing period continues
Apple is seeding another beta of OS X 10.8.3 to developers. The build is listed as 12D78, and appears to have no known issues. As with past builds, Apple is asking developers to focus testing on AirPlay, AirPort, Game Center, graphics drivers, and Safari.
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03/04, 4:51pm
Five more vulnerabilities discovered
Oracle has released a new version of Java 7, Update 17. The patch is being released early, Oracle says, to cope with a security hole that is being "actively exploited by attackers to maliciously install the McRat executable onto unsuspecting users’ machines." The vulnerability was made public late last week. It also fixes a second, previously undocumented flaw, believed to be likewise connected to Java SE's 2D component.
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03/01, 1:57pm
Selling iMac, how to install brand new OS
Today, Grizzled Veteran "jmiddel" announced that they are selling their iMac, but they are looking for a way to install a copy of Mountain Lion that can be transferred to the new owner along with the computer. Also today, Mac Elite "euphras" was looking for a way to determine what capacity their VRAM sticks that they have lying around are, from a machine that was built in the early '90s.
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02/26, 6:24pm
Permissions glitch appears to be cause of recovery problem
An apparent issue with permissions on the recovery partition of recent Macs -- those that shipped with Mountain Lion pre-installed -- can make it very difficult to reinstall Mountain Lion in the case of system corruption on the boot drive. The problem even affects trying to restore Mountain Lion from a Time Machine backup, and falsely reports that the Mac in question "isn't compatible with Mountain Lion." Thanks to a support forum thread on Apple's website, a workaround has been found: repairing permissions on the recovery partition.
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02/19, 4:55pm
Lion, Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard get Java SE 6 fixes
Apple has released a promised Java update in the wake of an attack by Chinese hackers. The patch is available in two versions, for Lion/Mountain Lion and Snow Leopard. In both cases the code should bring Java SE 6 up to v1.6.0_41.
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02/11, 12:30pm
AmpliTube releases new Hendrix inspired gear
IK Multimedia has launched a new collection of Jimi Hendrix inspired gear for its AmpliTube software. Built to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Hendrix's birthday, the new collection includes 4 amps, 7 cabinets, 5 microphones, 10 stomp boxes, and 4 rack effects. The full version of AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix Anniversary Collection is available for $100, while previous users of AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix and AmpliTube 3 are entitled to an upgrade price of $40. Each of the new models will also be made available within the Custom Shop with prices ranging from 20 to 30 Gear Credits.
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02/06, 4:40pm
No differences spotted
(Update with info on "File:///" fix) Apple is distributing a tenth beta of OS X 10.8.3 to developers, listed as build 12D65. As with the previous beta, there appear to be no significant code changes. Apple is also asking developers to test the same components as before, including AirPlay, AirPort, Game Center, graphics drivers, and Safari.
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01/30, 6:11pm
Apple seeds ninth OS X beta to developers for testing
Apple has continued its longer-than-usual development cycle for Mountain Lion v10.8.3 with a ninth beta release today to developers. The new build, 12D61, comes just six days after the previous one. No new changes have been made to the release notes, nor are any known issues listed. Testers are asked to focus on the same areas as with the previous few betas: Safari, Game Center, AirPlay, AirPort, and graphics drivers. As with one of the previous betas, Apple says the new build features further enhancements to Wi-Fi.
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01/24, 5:20pm
Apple now surpassing number of 10.8.2 betas before release
Just a week after the last OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3 beta was released, Apple has issued a slightly newer build to developers and testers. The new version comes with no changes to the release notes or any known issues, but the previous beta 12D54 was noted as making improvements to the Wi-Fi component of OS X. The new version is build number 12D58, and is likely to continue cleaning up code and squashing bugs found in earlier releases. The incremental change in build numbers suggests that release is forthcoming.
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01/16, 4:14pm
Any significant changes still to be discovered
Apple is seeding a new beta of OS X 10.8.3 to developers, says AppleInsider. The build is labeled 12D54, following up on the 12D50 release posted on January 8th. Any important changes have yet to be discovered, but it should continue a trend of having no known issues while cleaning up any bugs in previous code.
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01/04, 7:00pm
Took only half the time Lion did to best Snow Leopard
Mac OS X 10.8.x, known as Mountain Lion and the current release of the operating system, has accounted for a majority share of the web traffic from Macs for the first time, according to new figures from web statistics firm Net Marketshare. The crowning comes just five months after the release of Mountain Lion, and took about half the time it took Lion (10.7) to take the lead position away from Snow Leopard (10.6) as the most popular version of OS X.
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12/18, 4:53pm
Update includes no known issues
Apple is seeding a third beta build of OS X 10.8.3 to developers. The build is listed as 12D43, and includes no new feature additions, but also no known issues. Apple is asking developers to concentrate on testing AirPlay, AirPort, Game Center, Safari, and graphics drivers.
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11/29, 9:00pm
No new fixes listed, no reason given for original withdrawal
Following Apple's re-release of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Update 2.0, Apple has also reissued the OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Update to 10.8.2 for the late-2012 versions of the 21.5-inch new iMac and Mac mini, as well 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. There are no changes in the list of fixes and improvements on the new revision over the retracted first revision of the custom update for the late 2012 line of computers.
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11/27, 10:26am
May hint at plans for updated Mac Pro
The first OS X 10.8.3 beta includes drivers for AMD's Radeon HD 7900-series video cards, the 7950 and 7970, notes Netkas.org. The cards aren't in any current Macs; they're in fact based on AMD's new Graphics Core Next architecture, and are each equipped with 3GB of DDR5 RAM. It's believed that Apple could be including the drivers for the sake of a new Mac Pro.
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11/26, 3:07pm
Graphics, AirPort, AirPlay main elements of focus
Apple has begun seeding the first beta of OS X 10.8.3 to developers. Listed as build 12D32, the code is said to have a few known issues, such preferences appearing off-kilter in Software Update, especially with non-English language settings. After waking from sleep, meanwhile, a Mac may render background graphics as black or transparent.
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11/20, 4:42pm
Targets Keychain problem
Apple has released a new software update, OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 Supplemental Update 2.0. The code fixes the issues behind an earlier release, and should let the 2012 Mac mini, 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, and 2012 iMac properly upgrade to v10.8.2. "This update addresses an issue with Keychain that can affect 2012 Mac systems," Apple's notes read.
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11/19, 9:35pm
Models affected include nearly the entire Macintosh line
A pair of updates for Apple's products have both been pulled in the span of less than a week. Late last week, the App Store software update for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion to 10.8.2 was removed for the new Mac Mini, iMac, and 13-inch Retina display MacBook Pro. Additionally, the "Mid-2012 MacBook Air/MacBook Pro Update 2.0" has been pulled due to problems reported by users.
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10/31, 3:41pm
Developers get invites in advance of seed
Apple is on the verge of seeding the first beta of OS X 10.8.3, says AppleInsider. The site quotes developers who say they've received invitations to test the new software. Because Apple hasn't even begun distributing the beta yet, it's unknown what kind of changes the company might have in mind beyond fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities.
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10/04, 7:40pm
Lexmark, Epson, Canon drivers widely updated
Apple on Thursday issued what it calls "supplemental updates" patches for different bugs in OS X 10.7.5 and 10.8.2 (each the latest version of their respective OS versions), along with an update for drivers for various lines of printers, presumably to add or restore AirPrint compatibility for iOS 6 devices, Mountain Lion compatibility and more to a long list of existing models as well as any new. Why Apple chose to call the OS patches "Supplemental Updates" rather than issue an incremental update is unexplained, but each of the two updates is version-specific.
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09/20, 11:00pm
Now handles DHCP, Mail blacklists, managing Netboot, more
Following the release of iOS 6 and an update for the client (user) edition of OS X 10.8, Apple has updated its $20 OS X Server application (which functions to convert the OS to the Server edition of Mountain Lion) to version 2.1, which adds the ability to manage the DHCP service, configuring DNS entries with second-level domains and aliases and iOS device management support to the program. The Mail, Software Update and Website services have received fixes for migration issues, and a number of fixes for various issues are included.
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09/20, 9:19am
Fusion takes on Windows 8, Mountain Lion
VMware has quickly updated its popular Fusion virtualization software to support OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and Microsoft's Windows 8 preview. Fusion 5 aims to merge the best features of both platforms, while continuing to improve performance over its predecessor. In our full review, we take a closer look at the new features and compare Fusion's performance with rival Parallels 8.
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09/19, 7:00pm
Recent models, even Windows programs tweaked for iOS 6
In addition to today's major releases of iOS 6 for mobile devices and OS X updates 10.8.2 for Mountain Lion and 10.7.5 for Lion, a handful of firmware updates and OS X app updates have been posted to Apple's support webpage, mostly to increase compatibility with iOS 6 device interactions but also adding support for Shared Photo Streams in iPhoto and Aperture as well as addressing bugs and other issues. Along with the photo apps, a security update was posted for users of Snow Leopard, and Apple's iCloud Control Panel for Windows was bumped to v2.0.
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09/19, 1:44pm
Also upgrades Game Center, FaceTime, Messages
Apple has posted OS X 10.8.2, a major update for Mountain Lion. The main addition is Facebook integration, which was originally expected at the launch of the OS. The feature allows not only quick sharing of links and photos, but also the ability to receive Facebook alerts in the Notification Center. More hooks extend into Game Center, where people can "Like" games, and use Facebook as a source for friend recommendations. Scores can now be shared to Facebook, Twitter, Mail, or Messages; friends can be challenged to beat scores and achievements.
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09/10, 7:53pm
Lion still 'king' of battery life among released versions
First, the bad news: three sets of separately-conducted independent tests have confirmed what many users suspected -- the initial release of Mountain Lion contained a bug that severely decreased battery life in the latest MacBook models compared to previous releases. The good news is that those same tests show that the not-yet-released 10.8.2 update, currently in beta testing, may fix the issues -- and possibly provide slightly better battery life than has been previously seen in any OS version tested, going back to Snow Leopard.
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09/08, 12:48am
Best of Mountain Lion, Windows 8
Parallels has quickly updated its popular Desktop virtualization software for Mac, bringing support for the latest software and hardware: OS X Mountain Lion, Windows 8 and Retina display-equipped MacBook Pros. In our full review, we take a closer look at Parallels' latest attempt to provide a common experience across the competing platforms.
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09/06, 1:36am
Developers to focus on Power Nap, Facebook sharing
Apple unveiled a third beta of OS X 10.8.2 developers late Wednesday, just a week after the previous release. The new build, numbered 12C43, lists no known issues but asks developers to focus on several areas, including both the Facebook integration introduced in the previous build along with Power Nap, a feature introduced in the original release of Mountain Lion. The company appears to be moving quickly to seal compatibility with the forthcoming iOS 6.
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08/30, 1:46pm
On track to outperform Lion, Snow Leopard still dominant
According to tracking from ad network Chitika, the latest version of OS X is already installed on over 10 percent of Macs accessing the Internet, a reliable measure of the active user base. The figure comes only one month after the launch of Mountain Lion, meaning the OS version is well ahead of Lion penetration at the same point in its release schedule. Currently, Snow Leopard still has the largest share of Macs, followed by Lion and Leopard.
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08/30, 7:38am
Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac brings speed boosts, better integration
Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac has had its launch pushed forward and is available now. A virtual Windows machine for Apple’s Macintosh range of computers, the latest iteration of the software has been upgraded to support Mountain Lion as well as Windows 8. In addition to performance boosts, it also supports Macs equipped with Retina displays and will reproduce Windows apps at a Retina resolution.
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08/29, 7:29pm
New code out less than a week after first release
Apple is already seeding a second developer beta of OS X 10.8.2, reports say. The release, build 12C35, is arriving less than a week after the first beta went live. The timing is unusually short given that Apple will often space out beta releases by two weeks or more.
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08/23, 12:50pm
Launches in tandem with public release of 10.8.1
Apple is now seeding an initial beta OS X 10.8.2 to developers. The build is listed as 12C31a, and in combo form the download measures 641.83MB. Developers are being asked to test Messages, Facebook, Game Center, Safari, and Reminders, although Apple lists no known issues with the update so far.
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08/23, 11:59am
Deals with Exchange, Thunderbolt, iMessage glitches
Apple has posted the finished version of OS X 10.8.1, its first update to Mountain Lion. The code is purely a maintenance release, solving a variety of bugs. Some notable examples include the Migration Assistant suddenly quitting, issues with Microsoft Exchange servers and Mail, and audio not playing properly via a Thunderbolt Display. One prevented iMessages from being sent.
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08/22, 3:29pm
10.8.1 update still in beta
Apple is already notifying participants in the AppleSeed distribution program that OS X 10.8.2 is in the works, according to 9to5Mac. AppleSeed and Mac Developer builds of releases tend to coincide, which should mean that developers will soon be able to test the update. By extension that may imply that v10.8.1 is almost finished, despite a second beta having just been seeded on Friday.
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08/21, 1:20pm
Developer gets four hours back after update
The current beta of OS X 10.8.1 may substantially improve MacBook battery life for some users, an anonymous developer indicates. The person says that before installing v10.8.1, his MacBook was only displaying a battery life of four hours and five minutes on a full charge. Afterwards, however, that number shot up to over eight hours, more than what Apple advertises for any MacBook model.
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08/17, 2:07pm
New build less than a week after initial seed
Reports have emerged that Apple has indeed begun seeding a new build of OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1 to developers. Build 12B17 is still in beta stage, and it comes less than a week after Apple began seeding the initial build of 10.8.1. This new build has no known issues, and Apple is asking developers to focus on Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange in Mail, PAC proxies in Safari, SMB, USB, and issues related to Wi-Fi and audio when connected to an Apple Thunderbolt Display.
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08/08, 4:21pm
Release likely to quash launch bugs
Apple is preparing to seed the first beta build of OS X 10.8.1 to developers, say sources for MacRumors. It's expected that the update will be a maintenance release, simply fixing any bugs that made it into the launch version of Mountain Lion. Apple has also likely been working on v10.8.1 for a few weeks already, since the Mountain Lion gold master reached developers more than two weeks before the OS went public.
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08/03, 9:58pm
Other certifications remain unchanged so far
The first Mountain Lion training guide and IT certification for OSX 10.8 has been released by Apple. The Apple Certified Associate -- Mac Integration certification, first offered following the release of Lion, is available for free. The course does charge $65 to take the online exam, but one free retake is allowed. The guidebook for the courseware is only available as a PDF currently -- the Lion version was available from Apple's iBookstore in ePub format.
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08/01, 3:29am
Remote management tools for OS X, iOS in enterprise
Two companies vying for IT budget dollars to help support and increase the use of Macs and iOS devices in enterprise and general business uses have announced that their flagship programs are now updated to be compatible with Mountain Lion, OS X 10.8, which debuted on July 25. The server version of Mountain Lion consolidates and update many enterprise-level features, and both MobileIron and JAMF Software have their products ready to work with the updated OS.
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07/31, 12:57pm
Trouble with Safari and other Mountain Lion discussions
Many annoyed MacNN forum goers have come together in this thread to complain about Apple's decision to disable the backspace key for navigation in Safari. Senior User RobOnTheCape points out that "activity monitor is missing from Safari", read more here.
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07/30, 8:53am
'Most successful OS X release,' Apple says
Over 3 million downloads of OS X Mountain Lion have been achieved in a span of four days, Apple has announced. In a press release, the company calls Mountain Lion "the most successful OS X release in Apple’s history." As a side note, though, the company says that promised Facebook integration will be delivered in an "upcoming software update" for the OS.
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07/27, 12:49pm
Accents, different languages optional
Apple is now distributing v2.0.0 updates for some of the optional voices in OS X, notes AppleInsider. If not already loaded, the voices can be installed by clicking "Customize" in OS X Mountain Lion's upgraded Dictation & Speech panel. If an update is needed, Apple is currently distributing the v2.0.0 files via Software Update. Each download is described as delivering "pronunciation and clarity improvements."
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07/26, 3:08pm
Apple still sorting out Mountain Lion launch
Apple is still encountering trouble with the Mountain Lion Up-to-Date program complaints indicate. The company has had to reissue codes to a number of people who applied for free upgrades to Mountain Lion. Now, though, some of the group getting new codes say they are getting codes for OS X Server instead. A copy of Server is useless without Mountain Lion already installed.
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07/25, 6:37pm
Latest OS brings deep iCloud integration
As promised, Apple has released the ninth major revision to its OS X operating system, v10.8 Mountain Lion, approximately five months after it was first announced. The update brings deeper iCloud integration, even more features inspired by iOS, and a long list of other tweaks and improvements.
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07/25, 4:36pm
Issue reaches beyond premature codes
People are continuing to experience problems trying to redeem Mountain Lion upgrade codes, according tothreads on Apple's support forums. The company today had to reissue codes to people who applied for the Up-to-Date program on Monday, before the program was meant to be launched. Even some new registrants are having problems however, receiving Mac App Store messages telling them that their codes have already been used.
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07/25, 1:02pm
New codes given out for premature registrations
Apple is issuing new Mac App Store codes to people who registered too early for the Mountain Lion Up-to-Date Program, reports say. On Monday the company accidentally made a submission form live, and for a brief time qualifying people received download codes via email. Those codes aren't working as of today's official Mountain Lion launch, requiring the replacements.
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07/25, 10:34am
New Server just $20 add-on
(Updated with Safari security notes) Accompanying today's launch of OS X Mountain Lion are a number of parallel software updates. Amount these is OS X Server for Mountain Lion, a $20 add-on. The release marks another price drop for Server, which in its Lion form cost $49; before that it cost several times more still.
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