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Fifth iOS 7 beta comes just a week after last release

Apple's got another iOS 7 beta for developers, as the software marches toward a fall release.

Josh Lowensohn Former Senior Writer
Josh Lowensohn joined CNET in 2006 and now covers Apple. Before that, Josh wrote about everything from new Web start-ups, to remote-controlled robots that watch your house. Prior to joining CNET, Josh covered breaking video game news, as well as reviewing game software. His current console favorite is the Xbox 360.
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Josh Lowensohn
Apple

Just about a week after releasing its fourth iOS 7 beta, Apple has rolled out another version of the upcoming operating system to developers.

iOS 7 beta 5 went out to developers Tuesday morning, with Apple only saying to expect the usual handful of "bug fixes and improvements." In its last beta, such tweaks included reworked call buttons, along with updates to its Spotlight search and lock-screen interface, and support for photo filters on older iPhone models.

iOS 7 brings an overhauled design for every part of the operating system, while remaining largely the same in terms of functionality. Onlookers are expecting a few more changes before it's finalized. The public release of the software is scheduled for this fall.

It's the norm for iOS to undergo several beta versions before it's ready for public consumption. For iOS 6 it was five betas, whereas with iOS 5 it was eight separate releases. The "golden master" version represents the final release that goes out to consumers, and what has historically shipped on Apple's new iPhone.

For more on iOS 7 features, go to CNET's overview.