Here’s the 100% pure, honest truth regarding the launch date of the next Apple handset: nobody knows when it will touch down. What most don’t realise is that a product release with Cupertino isn’t necessarily set in stone. Compromises with manufacturing, planning, and testing can all affect a new device making its way to our stores. So, even Jobs may not be aware of a specific launch day.

Yesterday’s poorly un-sourced rumor came from a Japanese blog claiming that the Apple music event will be held on September 7th. Not long after other blogs with “sources” argued that Cupertino has no plans for that date. Apparently annoyed at this wild speculation, Kara Swisher posted on twitter that the event and the iPhone will be launched in October. (Check out that original prediction here.) Irritatingly, she posted it as fact – clearly her sources should be trusted more than anyone else’s right? This sparked a – let’s say tense – back and forth between her and @arnoldkim. From what you can see in the image below (courtesy of 9to5Mac) he was obviously just trying to get clarification.

However knee-jerk-ish and uncalled for her tweets appeared, Kara’s reaction post was  understandable. Every release date rumor that comes around should not be given full attention. We make a point of not publishing them all, instead giving our opinions on whether or not it’s likely. However, in her post, Kara is absolutely convinced that Apple is launching the iPh5 in October. So what makes her so sure that she can claim this as fact? That’s right, AllThingsD – a sub-blog of WSJ – has “sources with knowledge of the situation“. As much as I am frustrated at every source’s anonymity, I do expect WSJ and its affiliated sites to post accurate information.

So what can we expect? As much as I hate to say it, I’m going to side with Kara on this one. As well-placed as other site’s sources may be, this one has a better chance of being accurate. Until concrete evidence comes up, I’m not expecting anything to happen in the next month and a half.

Via: AllThingsD