The public release of iOS 7 doesn’t hit the streets until Wednesday, but Apple isn’t taking a breather, as future updates of the company’s mobile device operating system are already showing up in logs around the web.
According to web analytics for 9to5Mac, Apple employees seem to already be testing iOS 7.0.1, iOS 7.0.2, and iOS 7.1. While we cannot absolutely confirm that these tests are occurring inside Apple, it seems likely based on the cities in which these operating systems are being tested. Apple’s headquarters is in Cupertino, California, and we are seeing these views from these unreleased operating systems from both Cupertino and surrounding areas.
If Apple follows their previous game plans, iOS 7.0.1 and iOS 7.0.2 will serve as bug fix updates, with version 7.1 bringing new functionality or hardware support to the table. Apple usually releases a set of bug fix updates soon after their initial OS release, so it’s no surprise that 7.0.1 and 7.0.2 are already being tested.
9to5Mac sees iOS 7.1 as possibly being the version of iOS that will launch alongside the expected new iPads later this year. It is widely known that iOS 7 isn’t ready for prime time on the iPad, and all of the signs of iOS 7.1 that their website has detected has been on the iPad.
iOS 7 officially launches this Wednesday, September 18th, and includes a completely redesigned interface, including revamped icons, new app interfaces, iTunes Radio, a new Control Center and a revamped Notification Center. The new OS will come pre-installed on the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, which hit the streets this Friday, September 20th.
