iCloud is here, iOS 5 is near; But biggest WWDC news is, 'there's NO word on iPhone 5'

Apple's storied worldwide developers Conference (WWDC) this year saw the unveiling of iCloud, with which the tech giant pulled a chair right into the center of the users' electronic experience.

And then, the iOS 5 gave a peak into what the iPhone 5 -- or the iPhone 4 S as some call it -- will give to the customers. But Apple's silence over its release date didn’t help vexed customers who would want to make a crucial smartphone purchase decision. Those who have an iPhone 4 could wait until the next iPhone is released. (But would that be as far away as next June/July, going by the worst fears of iPhone fans?).

But what of people who are stuck with the iPhone 3? Would they loyally wait of want to desert the Apple camp to the Android?

Apple said at WWDC its fancied iOS 5, the next version of its mobile operating system, will be unleashed in July. The iOS 5 features as many as 200 new features and would enrich the users' iPad, iPhone and iPod experiecne like no other before.

Its features include Notification Center (viewing and managing notifications), iMessage (messaging between all iOS devices), Newsstand (purchasing and organizing newspaper and magazine subscriptions), PC Free (no computer required; OTA updates), Safari, Reading List, Twitter integration, Camera updates, Game Center, Mail enhancements, AirPlay Mirroring, and Reminders (help manage tasks).

But the moot question is, when will the new hardware arrive? If there is no word yet on iPhone 5, would they rather have to download the iOS features come July? ) Of course Apple said iOS 5 will be available as a free software update for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2, iPad and iPod touch.

iOS 5 holds all the promise in the world, but users are increasingly looking to find when they can get their hands on an iPhone 5 to use it to its full potential, says Beatweak.

And then the iCloud. It fits snugly into Apple's clearly declared focus on software this summer, not the hardware. Apple sets much store by ramping up software capabilities that drive its beautiful devices, especially because competition is hardening up.

The iCloud, which allows customers to get 5GB storage for files, alongside iTunes Match compares well with rival Google's Music Beta that can store up to 20,000 songs.

Apple said iCloud would store the users' music, photos, apps, calendars, documents, and more and wirelessly pushe them to all devices — automatically. iCloud is so much more than a hard drive in the sky. It’s the effortless way to access just about everything on all your devices, Apple said.

iCloud incorporates nine free cloud services that will work across the Apple platform of devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC to automatically and wirelessly store content and push it to your devices.

But does the relentless focus on software reflect a wrong sense of priority? Apple left fans high and dry over when it will launch if the iPhone 5. Observers say for now, Apple may be extremely happy with the iPhone 4 sales. The launch of the white iPhone 4 late in the product cycle gave a fresh boost to sales. If Apple unveiled the iPhone 5 at WWDC it would have significantly affected this sales momentum.

A lot of reports meanwhile mused if this strategy was ceding ground to the Android-based devices. A slew of high-performing Android OS-based smartphones and tablets will hit the market by the time Apple finally makes up mind on iPhone 5 release.