In line with our earlier exclusive report on Apple’s plans for its iOS 7 beta software, we can now confirm that the final beta software release for developers will take place next week. Our sources have not confirmed which day, though Monday makes the most sense as it has been the typical release day in the past. After iOS 7 beta 6, Apple will be seeding a GM (gold master) version for its employees and partners to test starting around September 5th. This will mostly likely be the software that is released to the public later on in the month of September, barring any major bugs or problems that might be discovered.
After Apple and its partners are comfortable with the gold master build, the company will release it to developers on September 10th, the day of the company’s iPhone event where we should see the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C make their first appearances — and they will of course be the first devices to run iOS 7 out of the box.
Apple has been overhauling the entire mobile software experience during each beta release to developers, sometimes dramatically changing design and user interface pieces. It’s the first time we have ever seen such a public view of how the company builds upon each release until a cohesive vision is realized. It also shows us that even though tech enthusiasts stomped their feet about things like icon design, the hue of the phone app, or the fact that the gradient on the mail app is inverted, Apple has purposely ignored this in order to deliver the product that it wants in the hands of hundreds of millions of people. Let’s hope everyone else likes it, too.
