Do you still have to buy the production version when it ships?

In the past, apple seeded the GM build to developers shortly before the release date. So no need to go buy the same build in the store.

Although it's worth noting that Apple sometimes has a very weird definition of "Gold Master". The latest Xcode 4 GM, for example, is pretty much just another beta version. It's not production ready at all.

Wait, is this true?

iOS GMs have always been ready to ship, minus a few 3rd-party apps and last minute exploits(JBs). If they are throwing GM designator on anything that isn't usable than I'm severely disappointed.

sweet thanks!