iCloud Being Reset On September 22, Signals Imminent Launch

Apple has announced that it will be resetting all iCloud backup data on Thursday, September 22. The iCloud feature has been available to developers for testing since the release of the iOS 5 beta 2 build. Developers have been made aware from the beginning that any data backed up to iCloud during this time would be wiped clean before the final release of the platform.

Hence, the September 22 date for the the wipe supports previous rumors that the iOS 5 golden master version, or essentially the final build, will be released sometime between September 23 and 30. This would mean that the final release will be installed on the iPhone 5 hardware before the end of October in time to ship and arrive by the rumored October 15 launch date.

The message posted on the Apple Developer board reads:

On Thursday, September 22, the iCloud Backup data will be reset. Backing up to iCloud or restoring from an iCloud backup will be unavailable from 9 AM PDT – 5 PM PDT. If you attempt a backup or restore during this time, you will receive an alert that the backup or restore was not successful. After this reset, you will be unable to restore from any backup created prior to September 22. A full backup will happen automatically the next time your device backs up to iCloud.

It's believed that iOS 5, the software itself, may be announced on October 7 and released shortly thereafter. This speculation is based on reports that AppleCare is expecting to receive an unusually high amount of tech support calls related to the next-gen iOS starting October 10. The iPhone 5 hardware isn't expected until October 15.

[via 9to5 Mac]