iOS 7 Features Rumors, Release Date: Beta 6 Release Date Slated For Next Week, Schedule On Track For A Possible September Official Release

The iOS 7 beta 6 release date is scheduled for next week, which will officially pave the way for the final iOS 7 beta or GM in early September, according to Gotta Be Mobile. The schedule of the iOS 7 beta releases is on track for what could be an official September release date for the OS.

Apple announced the iOS 7 at its annual WWDC in June and the software is now on its fifth public beta. Throughout the scheduled releases, the iOS 7 beta delivered changes to the design and implementation of the various features, but the overall look of iOS 7 has been the same noted Gotta Be Mobile.

Apple usually releases three to seven beta versions before the official version comes out to ensure that the software is free from bugs and problems.

The reported release date for the iOS 7 set for next week has no specific date called out, according to BGR. Apple released most of the iOS 7 betas on a Monday, but iOS 7 beta 5 came out on a Tuesday. Many are expecting that the iOS 7 beta 6 could be released either this coming Monday or Tuesday around 1 PM eastern.

Based on this schedule of releases, the rumors of iOS 7 being released by September is consistent. Reports that the iOS 7 will be launched next month is fueled by a rumor that Apple is widely expected to unveil its next generation iPhone on September, according to CNBC. The annual product refresh is intended to for the much-important holiday sales rush.

The International Business Times earlier reported that if Apple will follow the formula from last year, the official version of the iOS 7 will be released on September. The online publication pegged the iOS 7 launch for September 18.

The Business Times’ prediction is based on calculations of difference between when the iOS 6 was announced last year and when it was actually made available for download.

With numerous rumors that the much-awaited iPhone 5S will also be released this fall, the latest beta version of the iOS 7 would serve as a guide on the upcoming features of the smartphone’s next iteration.

One of the so-called “killer features” the Business Times reported about is the fingerprint sensor with home button. The recent beta version of iOS 7 hinted the inclusion of the fingerprint sensor as BiometricKitUI where there were also strings on how to use a fingerprint sensor on an iPhone.

The next upgrades expected for the rumored handset are enhanced cameras, longer battery life and speakers that will allow the voice to be heard more clearly. Better voice reception is provided thanks to the introduction of audio-only FaceTime.

iOS 7 for iPad and iPad Mini

According to Gotta Be Mobile, in a special video, the iOS 7 Beta 4 is arriving for the owners not only of the iPhone but also the iPad. The mobile tech site said that although the rumors are unconfirmed, it appears to be likely that the company will release a software platform for the tablet devices.

The iOS 7 update will run on the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4 and iPad Mini noted the blog. It will also be available for the fifth generation iPod. Older devices may not get all of the features that are found on the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5.

There have been reports that Apple will be releasing the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 this year, with the smaller tablet featuring a Retina display. Both devices are expected to run on the iOS 7 out of the box.

iOS beta versions gain record adoption rate

Mobile publishing firm Onswipe reported that the adoption of Apple’s iOS 7 beta is moving faster than any previous versions. iOS 7 involved a major design change, something that hasn’t happened since the debut of Apple’s mobile operating system in 2007. It features a new Notification Center, Control Center, and has been redesigned for multitasking.

The beta release of iOS 6 on June 11, 2102 brought in 0.25% mobile device users that visited Onswipe’s site using the new beta 6. Now, as of July 1, OS7 beta users are bringing in 0.46% traffic to Onswipe’s sites.

The 0.77% of iPhone users that visited the various Onswipe’s sites are using iOS7 and 0.28% of iPad users are using the operating system. Last year, for iOS 6 Beta, 0.19% of iPad users that visited and 0.38% of iPhone users that visited were running the beta iOS6.

Mac Rumors reports: “The takeaways from Onswipe, according to CEO Jason Baptiste, are that developers are around twice as excited about iOS 7 as they were about iOS 6, and that they're spending more time getting ready for the big changes coming in the new version of Apple's mobile OS in order to have everything nice and tidy for the consumer launch coming this fall.”