According to a Wall Street Journal blog, Apple is planning to announce the iPhone 5 on October 4, with the device going on sale a few weeks later. The blog quoted 'sources close to the situation' and noted that this will be Tim Cook's first product launch as CEO.

Typically, iPhone releases are two to three weeks after the announcement. The iPhone 3Gs was announced on June 9 2009 and was available for sale in Australia 17 days later on the 26.

However, stock issues can delay availability outside the US. Australians had to wait a month following the announcement of the iPhone 4, and even then, only those who were prepared to queue outside stores offering midnight opening could get hold of one.

The iPad took even longer to reach Australian Apple fans. Announced in January 2010, the iPad hit US stores in March with a late April date planned for a list of other countries, including Australia. However, the iPad did not appear until May 28 in Australia.

iPad's were a victim of their own success, as Apple had to delay the international launch due to the high demand for the product in the US.

Providing Apple has enough stock of the highly anticipated device, Australians can expect the iPhone 5 to go on sale in early November based on the predicted announcement date.

No doubt this will be a much-demanded Christmas present this year, with many new features expected.