BGR has learned that iOS 5 beta 8 will be released this Friday and the GoldMaster will be released on September 23.

The GoldMaster is a sign that we are ridiculously close to the final retail release of iOS 5 to the general public. Apple has had a tendency to release their software n Fridays and this is no different.

“We have received some information from a trusted source surrounding upcoming release of iOS 5 that could help pinpoint a more specific launch time frame for the iPhone 5. Starting off, we have been told that even though Apple seeded iTunes 10.5 beta 8 last week, iOS 5 beta 8 won’t be released until this Friday. After beta 8, Apple will introduce a Gold Master build on or around September 23rd as has been rumored.”

From iDB:

BGR believes that this GM build will then be loaded on the already-assembled iPhone 5hardware and packaged for the device’s release. A report from overseas has said that Apple is making an upwards of 150,000 iPhone 5 units per day already.

Apple has already seeded a beta version of iOS 5 to carriers with new features, like Nuance text-to-speech and FaceTime over 3G, for testing. Once the GM is out, Apple will then request that carriers approve the Gold Master by October 5. This date is most likely in place to match up with the iPhone 5′s estimated ship date, which is expected to be in the first two weeks of October. Apple should announcement its next media event by sending invites out during this week at the earliest.

Get ready for iOS 5 everyone!