by Apple has told Mac owners running OS X Lion that the beta of Messages, its replacement for both the older iChat instant messaging service and SMS (short message service) texting, will expire Dec. 14.
To keep using the service, customers must upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion. Emails announcing the shutoff began reaching Lion users last week.
Apple introduced a beta of Messages for Lion in February alongside the surprise release of a developer preview of OS X Mountain Lion. The latter went on sale in July for $19.99, a third less than its two predecessors.
Mountain Lion includes Messages, as well as several other features and services that debuted on iOS, Apple’s mobile operating system that powers the iPhone and iPad.
To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
