Lending credence to the rumors or not, the iOS 7 release date was hinted at in a Nuance Communications marketing email to developers. The content of the email simply suggests that developers test a piece of Nuance software supposedly compatible with the next-generation mobile operating system by Apple but drops the supposed September 10 press event considered by everyone and their grandmother to be Apple’s release date of choice.

The email in question, as seen above, was obtained by The Next Web who thinks that Nuance is unlikely to have any real insider information regarding the release date. Despite the fact that popular voice-recognition feature Siri was birthed from Burlington, MA-based Nuance and their service partners, TNW notes “In fact, it may just be basing its assumptions on earlier reports that Apple will unveil the next iPhone on September 10th.”

Apple’s alleged September 10 press event was initially designated as the release date for the iPhone 5S, low-cost iPhone 5C, and possibly iPad and iPad mini tablets. Seeing as how each of those devices is to run on iOS 7 at some point, though the iPhone 5C’s version is expected to be scaled back, tech pundits and Apple enthusiasts are merging both releases.

Considering that Apple is a notorious creature of habit hellbent on following a strict annual itinerary, it’s not a stretch to fathom a September 10 release of iOS 7 but its just as unlikely that it’ll debut instantly on all mobile Apple devices.

Though Apple traditionally announces its upcoming version of iOS at the annual WWDC along with a number of tech products and hosts a joint press event for its devices and software, a universal iOS release doesn’t come until a day or two after–excluding brand new devices. The iPhone 5S is currently thought to hit retail shelves in Japan on September 20, coinciding perfectly with the Sept 10 event, and Japan is usually clumped in with the U.S. in terms of initial launches perhaps indicating the same launch domestically. iOS 7 could come within the subsequent days of that.

TNW thinks that perhaps Nuance is mistaking the iOS 7 release with the dispatch of the gold master version, one dispatched solely to Apple employees and partners. Conflicting rumors, though, suggest that since the most recent beta version was released on a Thursday, Apple may be releasing the GM version on September 5, also a Thursday, with a launch on the 10.

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And no matter which numerically marked calendar square get’s circled in anticipation, users have a lot of great features to look forward to with iOS 7. Surely they’ve all heard about the UI overhaul for months, as it was also detailed at the annual WWDC, but Apple has more in store for its ever-loyal user base.

The entire UI of iOS 7 shifts on an axis when physically shifted by the user in order to give the best possible viewing angle. Even better is that this feature extends beyond the home screen and occurs with all apps.

The comprehensive redesign also includes the new unlock screen with rounded numerals, multiple pages for each app, cleaner typography all around, full screen edge-to-edge photos, ability to swipe between messages or apps, the notifications center available directly from lock screen, and “today view” which shows all that’s on tap for the day from all information saved in iCloud and in your calendar.

Safari for iOS 7 appears to be multifunctional as well, allowing for more than the previous 8-tabs open at once, easily navigabale swiping cues, and improved bookmarking for easy access.

Finally with iOS 7, Apple will have an answer to the naysayers who thought its mobile operating system was dead in the water without NFC capability. AirDrop shows users which friends are in close proximity and makes items easy to share anything–photos, articles, documents, social media, etc.–with multiple friends at once. No need to worry about security either as AirDrop will use securely encrypted peer-to-peer Wi-Fi.

The camera feature will offer a slew of new filters for amateur photographers to salivate over, while the photo app helps to easily manage and share pics, organize photos in albums, and pull out interesting and patterned images that might be of interest to the user.

[Image via The Next Web]