Is Apple's Snow Leopard set for an early release?

Snow Leopard box

Apple's US and UK websites reportedly published information today that said its next operating system Snow Leopard would be available a few days earlier than expected.

A variety of websites and publications have published screen shots showing the OS would be available 28 August, when it isn't expected until September.

Apple has now changed the date back to September, leading to speculation that it was simply a mistake.

Apple refused to comment on the story.

The new OS will cost just $29 for an upgrade copy and come preinstalled on new Macs from next month.

Snow Leopard will support Exchange out of the box, so there's no need to use Entourage anymore. Apple also claims it's new OS will be speedier and feature better search.

Click here for our cheatsheet on Apple's Snow Leopard.