Rumor: Apple already restricting retail employee time off in Sept., its usual iPhone launch window
With Apple having opted for a September launch of its latest iPhone models for the last few years, the company is expected to follow that same pattern this year, and is allegedly restricting retail employee time off for that month with four months to go.
Apple retail employees in Germany are said to have been restricted from taking vacation days in September, according to German-language Apple site iFun.de. Citing an anonymous source, the site said it has "little doubt" that the information is trustworthy, according to a machine translation.
If true, the information isn't surprising, if it is a little early. In years past, Apple has blocked its employee vacation dates only weeks before a new product is unveiled, while this move would in fact be months ahead of time.
Apple has chosen to unveil and launch its latest iPhone models in the fall since it debuted the iPhone 4S in October of 2011. Starting with the iPhone 5 in 2012, the announcement and launch were bumped up slightly to September, and Apple stuck to the same timeframe in 2013.
If Apple holds the same pattern this year, it would unveil "iOS 8" at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 2, announce and launch its next-generation "iPhone 6" in September, and new iPads would follow in October. This year's new iPhones are expected to come in two different, larger screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches.
But Apple has plenty of other rumored products on tap this year, suggesting the company is setting itself up for a busy second half of calendar 2014. In particular, the company is expected to launch a newly redesigned 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display, a revamped Apple TV set-top box, a new version of its OS X Mac operating system, and even a rumored wrist-worn "iWatch."
With so many major product launches expected, it's possible that Apple could be taking precautionary measures well in advance this year to ensure its stores are properly staffed for a busy late summer and early fall.
Apple retail employees in Germany are said to have been restricted from taking vacation days in September, according to German-language Apple site iFun.de. Citing an anonymous source, the site said it has "little doubt" that the information is trustworthy, according to a machine translation.
If true, the information isn't surprising, if it is a little early. In years past, Apple has blocked its employee vacation dates only weeks before a new product is unveiled, while this move would in fact be months ahead of time.
Apple has chosen to unveil and launch its latest iPhone models in the fall since it debuted the iPhone 4S in October of 2011. Starting with the iPhone 5 in 2012, the announcement and launch were bumped up slightly to September, and Apple stuck to the same timeframe in 2013.
If Apple holds the same pattern this year, it would unveil "iOS 8" at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 2, announce and launch its next-generation "iPhone 6" in September, and new iPads would follow in October. This year's new iPhones are expected to come in two different, larger screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches.
But Apple has plenty of other rumored products on tap this year, suggesting the company is setting itself up for a busy second half of calendar 2014. In particular, the company is expected to launch a newly redesigned 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display, a revamped Apple TV set-top box, a new version of its OS X Mac operating system, and even a rumored wrist-worn "iWatch."
With so many major product launches expected, it's possible that Apple could be taking precautionary measures well in advance this year to ensure its stores are properly staffed for a busy late summer and early fall.
Comments
"If true, the information isn't surprising..." :smokey:
I always thought it would be stupid to announce and release one size iPhone and then release the next size the very next month. What's one month? Release them at the same time.
Historically this is as good an indicator as any for an accurate launch time frame. Not that we needed much confirmation since Apple has established their 'perfect' launch plan over the last few years.
Honestly though, I held out a small amount of hope that the iPhone 6 would be released sooner. Would anyone here care if Apple released the iPhone 6 with say iOS 7.2, but released it in JUNE, rather than having to wait until Sept. so it can ship with iOS 8?
That's the primary reason for waiting. They utilize WWDC to unveil the OS, then test it all Summer, then combine it with a new iPhone for a 100% NEW release.
I just don't know if thats altogether necessary. Sure, it makes sense. But I don't know if they really NEED to do that.
There are likely prototype iPhones (and other devices) running the current (or a slightly modified) version of the existing operating system, so no, they don't NEED to do that.
However, without a doubt, senior management has decided that they WANT to do it, at least with the iPhone.
Apple is a software-driven company. To unlock all the benefits of the new operating system, you need to buy the latest device, but many of the features are available on previous generations of hardware.
I am guessing the 5.5" is an iPod Maxi or an iPad Nano.
Glad to see this chart again. It’ll be completely incorrect, just like last year’s.
There are likely prototype iPhones (and other devices) running the current (or a slightly modified) version of the existing operating system, so no, they don't NEED to do that.
However, without a doubt, senior management has decided that they WANT to do it, at least with the iPhone.
Apple is a software-driven company. To unlock all the benefits of the new operating system, you need to buy the latest device, but many of the features are available on previous generations of hardware.
Oh I totally get it. And it totally makes sense. It's just unfortunate that we have to wait on hardware while new software-for-all is being beta tested.
I am guessing the 5.5" is an iPod Maxi or an iPad Nano.
No one has been able to answer me when confronted with this question:
Why on earth would Apple be developing a new iPod? Further more, why would Apple develop a new iPod that is larger than the new iPhone?
Since you call it an iPod, am I to assume that is a Wifi-Only device?
I personally doubt a 5.5" device is being made at all, but if it is, why would it be an iPod? On the list of things it could be: an iPhone, iPad, or iPod.....why would anyone think iPod, even just in passing?
Why on earth would Apple be developing a new iPod?
Why wouldn’t they?
Because the completely different use cases thereof lend themselves to differently sized devices.
Well, yeah.
That’s my second guess, personally.
We all remember 2011 and the simultaneous release of the iPhone 4S and “iPhone 5”, Apple’s 4.2” model.
Be… cause we already know about the iPad and the iPhone being released. How’s that confusing? Just cross off the boxes on the website until you only have one left.
Oh I totally get it. And it totally makes sense. It's just unfortunate that we have to wait on hardware while new software-for-all is being beta tested.
It's only unfortunate for people who are impatient.
For the general public/Joe Consumer, it makes more sense for Apple to release the new iPhone with all of the new features running, rather than release with the old operating system with promises of "enhanced functionality in the near future" which reeks of vaporware -- something Apple does not typically practice.
What the typical AI/MacRumors/Apple rumor site reader wants is completely irrelevant to Apple.
Why wouldn’t they?
Because the completely different use cases thereof lend themselves to differently sized devices.
Well, yeah.
That’s my second guess, personally.
We all remember 2011 and the simultaneous release of the iPhone 4S and “iPhone 5”, Apple’s 4.2” model.
Be… cause we already know about the iPad and the iPhone being released. How’s that confusing? Just cross off the boxes on the website until you only have one left.
1. Because iPod sales are dwindling, and iPod touch sales aren't very impressive. I don't think most people would even notice if the iPod touch went without an update, or merely received a small spec bump to A7 class hardware.
2. Since the iPod touch and iPhone have always been mirrors of each other in terms of size per generation...when has anything ever indicated that slight differences in use demand completely different sizes?
3. I don't think it would be very well received if Apple introduced a 4.7" iPhone....then later a 5.5" iPod. What a shitty device that would be. Apple doesn't make shitty devices. Some people might want a 5.5" iPhone....but a 5.5" iPod is useless.
4. The idea of it being an iPod is a forum-created speculation. None of the rumors have indicated anything other than an iPhone coming at 4.7" and 5.5". However, I doubt the 5.5" existence since none of the leaks indicate it exists. That isn't all encompassing, but it makes me doubt it significantly.
It's only unfortunate for people who are impatient.
For the general public/Joe Consumer, it makes more sense for Apple to release the new iPhone with all of the new features running, rather than release with the old operating system with promises of "enhanced functionality in the near future" which reeks of vaporware -- something Apple does not typically practice.
What the typical AI/MacRumors/Apple rumor site reader wants is completely irrelevant to Apple.
All true, all true, except what is not completely irrelevant to Apple is when their new #1 selling product gets released. I'm not alone in thinking that Apple misses a big opportunity not having a new iPhone to sell throughout the summer.
Apple apparently does not want to release the iPhone in the summer anymore. They did before, now they don't. Clearly, Apple's senior management team made the decision to switch the iPhone launch window to the fall.
It's not like they're going to sell more, they're already supply constrained as it is, forcing them to stagger release dates to various international markets. They sell every single iPhone that rolls off the manufacturing line.
Besides, if they release iPhone hardware in the summer, then perhaps they would move up the iOS debut/WWDC by the same number of months. In the end, it really doesn't matter if Apple releases the iPhone in June/July or September/October. Summer revenue isn't worth any more than fall revenue.
Apple has a vested interest in having new Macs for the fall (Northern Hemisphere) return to school. Also, they like to have their consumer product lineup solidified before going into the holiday selling season. Those are really the only two time-sensitive deadlines for the company these days. Apple bailed out of trade shows years ago, so there would be no pressure to announce new product at a date that was not particularly convenient for the company (like Macworld in early January).
Indeed. So why not revitalize it as a gaming platform? As the BEST hardware option for a remote control for the new Apple TV box? They obviously do still care about the iPod touch. Why not make ownership of an iPod touch, iPhone, AND iPad attractive?
Oh, Apple can’t change anything?
" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" /> You’re starting to sound like someone…
Why’s that? Two devices, two purposes, two sizes. I doubt you’d be receptive to a 3.5” iPad.
That’s ironic, because what’s actually useless is a 5.5” iPhone, while a larger iPod…
Sure is. I may have been the one to start it, actually. I’ve always been in favor of a larger iPod touch, and vaguely recall hoping previous larger iPhones were really iPod touches…
None of the rumors in 2011 indicated anything other than the iPhone 4S and 5 being released simultaneously, with the 5 being 4.2”.
Same here. You’d think we would have at least seen something, even a purposely FAKED picture of a factory mold scaled up to match the “real” molds of the 4.7”. Then again, it is “coming out later” so it wouldn’t be as far along in production.