iPhone 5 May Not Offer iOS 5 at Launch

Apple is reportedly planning to launch the iPhone 5 without iOS 5 this summer, but a developer preview could appear at WWDC.

A report by TechCrunch suggests that Apple is planning to launch the iPhone 5 without iOS 5 this summer. Two solid sources have told the tech blog that Apple isn't planning to release iOS 5 until the fall, which is said to likely coincide with the release of a new type of iPad. iOS 4.3 is the most recent version of Apple's mobile OS, which is currently running on most iOS devices.

According to TechCrunch's sources, iOS 5 will be a major revamp of the OS with a heavy focus on the cloud. It's unknown whether these services will work via both 3G and Wi-Fi connections on iOS devices, or whether Apple has chosen to tie them all closely to the company's emerging digital home concept.

At least one service seems to be targeting the iPhone lineup though, as the sources say that one of the service elements is likely a location service that focuses on finding friends and family members. Apple may possibly announce this service along with the iPhone 5 during the WWDC.

Unfortunately, the sources say nothing about what kind of hardware upgrades the iPhone 5 will receive, but the Apple A5 chip first seen in the iPad 2 is widely expected to be part of it. Rumors are also suggesting that the iPhone 5 will get what could possibly be a 4-inch edge-to-edge screen.
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