Apple has seeded a new version of OS X 10.9.3 to employees, as well as a new iTunes 11.1.6 beta. The OS X 10.9.3 build is available to Apple employees, and looks to be the same as the build recently seeded to developers. The iTunes beta does, however, contain some changes that will interest a large number of users.
9to5Mac reports that the new iTunes 11.1.6 beta”restores the ability to sync contacts and calendar information to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from your Mac running OS X 10.9.3.”
MacRumors notes that many users were disappointed when Apple had removed local syncing in favor of cloud syncing back in September when iOS and OS X Mavericks debuted. The changes had allowed users to sync calendars, contacts, bookmarks, and notes only via iCloud.
Multiple complaints were aired by users via a huge thread on the Apple Support Communities.
If the iTunes stands pat, feature-wise, after this beta we should see the next release restore the feature, allowing users to once again sync locally.
