Apple iOS 5 gold master to go to manufacturers 23 Sept

13 Sep 2011

Apple will release the gold master of its iOS 5 mobile operating system for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch between 23-30 September, suggesting a mid-October launch of its next-generation iPhone 5 device.

According to a report on AppleInsider, the new iPhone and iPod touch went into mass production in late August.

Once the manufacturers in China receive the software they will be able to install it on the final hardware and prepare them for shipping to the retail sector.

Typically, it takes up to two weeks for shipping of hardware after receiving the gold master.

The gold master is identical to the code that eventually is finally released to the public.

Photo: What the iPhone 5 may look like

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com