Apple iOS 7 Release Date Yet To Come, But iOS 7.0.1, 7.0.2 And 7.1 Updates Already Being Tested: Report

Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS 7, the revamped version of the company’s mobile operating system is set to be released to the public on Sept. 18, and if a new report is to be believed, Apple is already working on the platform’s three forthcoming updates, including iOS 7.0.1, iOS 7.0.2 and iOS 7.1.

According to the 9to5Mac report, based on web analytics, it is unclear whether the testing of iOS 7.0.1, 7.0.2 and 7.1 is taking place inside Apple. However, there is a strong possibility that the developments are occurring inside the company itself as the new firmware updates have been tracked as originating from Cupertino, Calif., and surrounding areas.

The report suggested that while iOS 7.0.1 and 7.0.2 could bring successive bug fix updates, the iOS 7.1 could be meant for introducing new functionality or support for new hardware, such as the iPad 5, which Apple is expected to release later this year. The web analytics also showed that all the iOS 7.1 tests have been conducted on iPads.

Apple rolled out the iOS 6.0.1 update at the start of November, about six weeks after it released the iOS 6 last year. The update included many small bug fixes, which is also expected from the iOS 7.0.1.

9to5Mac reported earlier that Apple was already working on later versions of the iOS 7, which would integrate the much-hyped iOS-in-the-Car functionality. Previous reports also claimed that the company began shifting its iOS engineering resources to develop the next major version of the OS -- the iOS 8.

Apple seeded the golden master, or GM, version of the iOS 7 to its registered developers last week. According to reports, the GM version will very likely be the final version of the OS that will be released to users on Wednesday for installation on existing devices. The OS will come pre-installed on the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c on Sept. 20.

MUST READ: Apple iOS 7 Release Date Arrives: Expected Release Times And Things To Do Before Installing