iPhone 5 Rumors: Apple Confirms mid-October Release?

The iOS 5 “golden master,” Apple’s updated operating system was announced to be released sometime between September 23 and September 30 at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, according to an analyst.

The “golden master” is the finished product of the system and other copies can be produced from it, said analyst Ming-Chi-Kuo of Concord securities.

The main devices set to launch with iOS 5 include the next generation iPhone and the new iPod Touch models, which with a late September release for the system, the drop date for the devices powered by it should not be that far into the future.

According to Kuo, it would take 10 to 12 days for shipping of iOS 5 pre-installed new iPhones and iPod Touch units, and it will not be available before mid-October.

iOS 5 is set to have 200 features including iCloud, which allows users to wirelessly sync files to devices such as apps photos and music.

It is also said to sport iMessage, which works as a revamped notification center and keeps the users magazine, newspaper and app subscriptions organized.

Kuo has been a reliable source on Apple products in the past.

He correctly predicted the technical aspects of the iPad 2, Macbook Air and the release of the white iPhone 4.

Kuo is sure that the iPhone 5 will be released sometime in mid-October. The analyst claims to have reports from supply chains stating that the next generation iPhone will not be radically different from its predecessor.

According to his sources, Apple will not enlarge the display on the device, but it will give the new smartphone an A5 processor along with 512 MB of RAM and an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera.

And by Apple revealing iOS 5’s release, the company has provided consumers with a major clue regarding the release dates of the devices that will be powered by it.