Several Apple fans have been waiting for the release date of highly-anticipated iOS 6.1 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. However, it seems that users will have to wait a bit longer as just a day prior to the expiry of iOS 6.1 beta 4, Apple has released its beta 5 to registered developers.

Apple seeded the fourth beta on Dec. 17 last year and it was set to expire on Jan. 28, 2013. Now iOS 6.1 Beta 5 is in the hands of registered Apple developers globally, but testers are reporting that the beta 5 installs on supported devices without requiring a developer registration.

"Looks like iOS 6.1b5 isn't a beta, it activates without developer registration and has no ReleaseType lockdown keys," tweeted Winocm.

Cydia creator Saurik also indicates that the iOS 6.1 beta 5 could in fact be iOS 6.1 GoldMaster and not a beta.

"The question is now whether this was a mistake by the build team (called it "beta 5" when it should have been "GM", in a rush on a Saturday), or if Apple has been deciding to stall their release, and when they couldn't stall anymore (due to the looming expiration of beta 4) they just pushed the GM out the door as "beta 5" to buy themselves some more time," read Saurik's comment on Reddit.

iOS 6.1 beta 5 software is releasable to the public, which may point towards the announcement of iOS 6.1 soon.  iOS 6.1 will not be a major upgrade from iOS 6 but it will be the biggest iOS update since Apple released iOS 6 in September last year.

The iOS 6.1 update includes a new look for the lock screen music controls, a more prominent way to report bugs in the controversial Apple Maps, and the ability to order movie tickets through Fandango just by using Siri, the virtual personal assistant found on the iPhone and iPad.

The update will bring improved features to iOS devices, but according to previous reports it is also expected to tighten the internal security of iOS 6-run devices, making it more difficult for hackers to crack into the latest operating system.

Apple has not officially confirmed the release date for iOS 6.1 and we will have to wait and see when the company will roll out the latest update to iOS devices.