14 DAY TRIAL // An analyst with knowledge of Apple’s discussions with overseas suppliers claims to have learned that an iOS 5 GM (Golden Master) build is being prepared for assemblers who will be tasked with pre-installing iPhone 5 hardware before packaging and final shipping.
The seventh iOS 5 beta, handed to developers almost two weeks ago, may well be the build preceding the complete version of the software.
Those who are familiar with the software say the beta mostly focuses on performance and bug fixes, and is regarded as the last beta before the final (GM) build.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also thinks this is the case with Apple’s iOS.
Kuo reportedly said that numerous next-generation iPhones and iPod touches are already assembled and waiting to be fed the new operating system.
Manufacturers are scheduled to receive the golden master of iOS 5 the week of September 30, he said.
The news falls well with predictions of a late-September early-October Apple event that will feature not only the launches of iOS 5 and iCloud, but also the unveiling of a fifth-generation iPhone.
There aren’t many rumors that support Kuo’s intel about a fifth-generation iPod touch, but there’s no indication that Apple is not building one either.
After all, the iPod touch is still a popular media device, web surfing machine, gaming system, and an overall popular portable mini-computer.
It is also worth noting that, not long after Apple seeded iOS 5 Beta 7 to developers, the company reportedly began briefing retail staff on iOS 5 and iCloud in anticipation of their public debut this fall.
Apple will also be releasing Mac OS X 10.7.2 Lion and Mac OS X 10.6.9 Snow Leopard this fall, in order to add iCloud compatibility. iOS 5 has built-in iCloud support.