Just as the weekly countdown to the release of the iPhone was getting closer some major drama has popped up indicating the iPhone may not be released in June as expected.

Engadget reported that they had "it on authority that as of today, the iPhone launch is being pushed back from June to... October (!), and Leopard is again seeing a delay, this time being pushed all the way back to January." Predictably, as news of the possible delay hit, Apple's stock took a nose dive.

Engadget confirmed the news with what they contend was a valid e-mail that was sent to Apple employees, but then received word from an Apple PR person that the news was false (or rather the e-mail was "incorrect"), and the iPhone and Leopard are still on track for their scheduled dates.

Apple has not posted any news on their press site as of yet, so the jury is still out. And to think, two months ago we were hearing we would see the iPhone sooner than expected. Maybe the Helio Ocean will beat out the iPhone after all.