Rumour: iOS 5 shunted into autumn release slot

by Steven Mostyn - Mar 28 2011, 09:09

Although recent whispers have suggested Apple will unveil version 5.0 of its iOS mobile software during an April press conference, information provided by industry insiders now pushes that release back to the autumn.

More pointedly, TechCrunch has cited “two solid sources” in its claim that Cupertino-based Apple will use June’s WWDC event to provide attendees with an official glimpse—but nothing more—of iOS 5 alongside a mysterious cloud-based service platform.

If the rumoured iOS 5 delay proves to be true, it would mark something of a departure for Jobs & Co. given that Apple has historically whipped the covers of progressive iterations of iOS during the early spring, ahead of a full launch in the summer.

It’s also worth noting that an autumnal release for iOS 5 may cause a calendar shunt for the iPhone 5—which could potentially leave Apple unveiling three major products in the third quarter if it doesn’t transfer the knock-on effect to any upcoming revamp of the iPad tablet.

However that’s unlikely to happen, according to TechCrunch, as its sources have indicated that the iPhone 5 will retain its summer launch but will arrive carrying an earlier version of the iOS software.

Details regarding the aforementioned cloud service are (predictably) scant, but initial reports point to centralized iTunes and location-based services that dovetail with iOS 5’s support for cloud computing.

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