Rumors have long been swirling about Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone, the iPhone 5 or whatever it will be called. It will not be surprising if Cupertino, Calif.-based electronics giant announces the iPhone 5 in the near future because the company usually upgrades its iPhone almost during the same time period in summer.

But, what TechCrunch is claiming is different. Citing unnamed sources, TechCrunch claims that the next iPhone software update has been delayed by the company. According to TechChrunch, next version of its mobile operating system, the iOS 5, has been postponed until the fall, which suggests that the iPhone 5 could come late. However, it is not clear whether only the iOS 5 has been delayed or it will also result into the delay of iPhone 5.

It may be noted here that Apple typically times the roll out of new software and hardware features together. TechCrunch also suggests that the iOS 5 may be scheduled to come with a new sort of iPad, something beyond the existing iPad 2.

Apple may do a preview of the iOS 5 at its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference which is scheduled for this summer.