It has been learnt that registered developers will be able to download iOS 5 GM for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch on September 23. Apple is quite likely to release iOS 5 GM on the aforementioned date.
A little while back we revealed that iOS 5 beta 8 is going to be released this Friday. However when iTunes 10.5 beta 8 was released earlier this week, many thought that the next iOS 5 beta that Apple will seed would actually be iOS 5 GM for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, not iOS 5 beta 8. Looks like that is not the case because this Friday, Apple will seed iOS 5 beta 8 to registered developers.
On the other hand, we do know for sure that iOS 5 GM is due to come out in the week between September 23 and September 30, if not on that exact date. We previously reported that Apple will be seeding iOS 5 GM to its assemblers someday between the date mentioned above so that it is loaded on unreleased iPhone 5 that is currently under swift production. Once assemblers receive iOS 5 GM, they will load it on to iPhone 5 units which will then be packaged and shipped for the rumoured October 21st release.
It was also reported about a week back that Apple has already seeded iOS 5 GM to its carriers. They are said to be rigorously testing Apple's new firmware or any bugs or problems whatsoever before they begin selling iPhone 5 through their retail network. Carriers also need to do extensive iOS 5 beta testing because of the fact that the iOS 5 OTA update feature will need be supported by their respective networks. However one may question the possibility in which carriers do find problems with iOS 5 GM and ask Apple to fix them. That would obviously push back a lot of release dates that haven't been officially announced as yet.
iOS 5 GM for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch will almost be identical to the final public version of iOS 5. Do keep in mind that iOS 5 GM download will only be available for registered developers, however if you are not a developer be sure to check back here for iOS 5 GM ipsw download links as we'll definitely upload them for you. The final public version of iOS 5 will obviously be available to everyone who has an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad 1, iPad 2, iPod touch 3G and iPod touch 4G as well as the upcoming iPhone 5.