14 DAY TRIAL // iOS 5 Beta 8 will arrive this week setting a new record for the number of iOS test builds ever issued by the Cupertino, California-based iPhone maker, according to a new report.
The usually accurate BGR claims to have learned from a 'trusted source' that Apple will be seeding developers this week with a new iOS 5 build in an attempt to iron out all potential bugs ahead of the Golden Master release “around Septmeber 23rd.”
The eighth iOS 5 beta will be making its way to testers this Friday, according to the report. If history is any indication, the bits will be made available through Apple's iOS Dev Center as well as via OTA (over the air) software update for devs running recent betas.
As far as the subsequent GM build is concerned, the report seems to corroborate recent speculation that finished iPhone 5 hardware is waiting in Chinese warehouses to be preloaded with the new software.
After handing the final iOS 5 build to manufacturers, Apple will be waiting for their “technical acceptance” so that the finished product can be shipped for selling, the sources noted.
It is unclear why BGR speculates there could be something wrong with the software, as it notes that we’re likely to see the first incremental software update soon after the iPhone 5 launch.
It may have something to do with the fact that Apple is somewhat pressed for time, with their rumored fall event scheduled not only for the iOS 5 and iCloud launch, but also the iPhone 5 introduction.
A recent hardware leak from China, as others before it, indicates there will be some differences between the inner workings of the current iPhone and the next-generation device.
However, as usual, there is nothing conclusive to see in these so-called iPhone 5 parts since no one can actually confirm they belong in Apple’s future handsets.
What’s more, the iPhone 4S is still on the table as far as some pundits are concerned, which makes it fairly possible that the respective hardware is not indicative of what the iPhone 5 will be like, both in terms of form and function.