iOS 5 rumor claims fall release

A rumor floated late Saturday has iOS 5 launching later than widely thought but with much in store. The new mobile OS has supposedly been moved to the fall and might be unveiled at WWDC instead of at a special spring event. In return, TechCrunch said, it would be a "major revamp" rather than the iterative upgrades seen so far.

The revision would reportedly focus more on links to the cloud. Some services could emerge, including the long rumored media locker. This too would be shown at WWDC but would wait on iOS 5 and might be timed for the annual music-related event. FindMy Friends, which was mentioned in iOS 4.3 betas but not in the final version, would make an appearance as well.

It all may be tied to a second 2011 iPad that also would arrive in the fall. Whether it would be an upgrade to the existing iPad or a new model entirely wasn't said.

Apple has been giving subtle clues of other iOS 5 features through its hiring strategies. Last June, it hired Palm's webOS notification designer and former Apple employee Rich Dellinger, hinting that it was going for a more advanced, subtler notification system than the pop-ups used so far. Recruiting has further shown plans for a major upgrade to Maps after years of relatively conservative updates.

The rumor is unconfirmed and would buck Apple's usual pattern of having a special iOS-related event in March or April followed by a release the following June or July. Apple has publicly mentioned that its North Carolina datacenter's contributions to iTunes and MobileMe will go live in the spring, casting doubts on a fall release window. The third iPad run is just as unconfirmed and might have to hinge on quad-core processors, graphics, and other upgrades being ready early.

By Electronista Staff