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A new analyst report making the rounds this morning asserts that Apple's putting the finishing touches on iOS 5, and plans to send it to its device assemblers as soon as next week.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of Concord Securities told AppleInsider and MacRumors today that Apple should be delivering the golden master version of iOS 5 between September 23 and 30. That software will then be imaged onto new devices that ship out to stores.

The timing is of special note given expectations of a new iPhone and iPod Touch in the coming weeks. Kuo suggests it will take 10 to 12 days for shipping of new iPhones and iPod Touch units with the upgraded software, placing a higher possibility that those units won't be available until the second week of October.

Apple released the latest beta version of its iOS 5 system software to developers at the tail end of August, the seventh iteration since taking the wraps off the software at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. So far, Apple has gone through a lengthier test process than usual, releasing a new beta of the software every few weeks ahead of the golden master, which represents the version the public gets:
• iOS 5 beta 1 on 6/6
• iOS 5 beta 2 on 6/24
• iOS 5 beta 3 on 7/11
• iOS 5 beta 4 on 7/22
• iOS 5 beta 5 on 8/6
• iOS 5 beta 6 on 8/19
• iOS 5 beta 7 on 8/31

Apple has said it will release iOS 5 to users as a free update this fall. The new version of iOS brings an overhaul of the notifications system, alongside a new messaging platform called iMessage that lets iOS users text and chat with one another free of charge. The software is also deeply tied to Apple's upcoming iCloud service, which will be used to ferry photos, applications, and settings back and forth between iOS devices, as well as serve as a free backup solution.

iPhone "4S" revived
Kuo also puts the kibosh on rumors of there being two iPhone models, instead suggesting that Apple intends to offer a souped-up version of the iPhone 4 that has the same general form factor of the iPhone 4, including screen size and building materials, but with an improved camera and tweaked antenna band.(i hope not :\ would like 4 inch display)

That assertion puts into question a handful of third-party cases that have emerged in the last few weeks, suggesting that Apple was making a device with a slightly larger screen, and a thinner form factor.

Kuo's track record on recent product releases is mixed. In July, Kuo incorrectly claimed that Apple would be moving to 4GB of RAM across its MacBook Air line, as well as losing the 64GB storage option, moving to 127GB and 256GB instead, while correctly noting that those drives would remain user-replaceable. Kuo also correctly predicted the release timeline of the white iPhone 4 and the planned discontinuation of Apple's white polycarbonate MacBook.

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Yeah iOS 5 is awesome, beta 8 almost has everything fixed but the gold masters will be perfect. Im still debating whether to get the new iPhone, since my macbook pro is like a desktop for me and I need a desktop. I don't have $2000 for the high end iMac so it would be cheaper to build a pc which is similar to the iMac :cry:.

isnt it $1400

Yeah thats the high end for the 21.5 inch display I'm talking about the 27-inch 3.1GHz lol thats the high end one . The $1400 one is good but thats how much ill spend for my custom built pc and it will have the same/better specs than the iMac 27-inch one well expect for the display screen.

Alright, i have a macbook pro 17 inch, costed 3000, but i love it

You went all out lol.. I have the 13 inch MacBook Pro 2009, costed me $1300 around and i still love it most amazing computer in the world still looks like new expect for these little small!!!!! nicks that i don't get how i got them near my trackpad and power button

Haha, I got a a dent somewhere, I do not know how I got it :/

If i got a dent in my computer i would go crazy and get mad lol.

I did go crazy haha, i got used to it

looks awsome cant wait 4 the jailbreak