T-Mobile reportedly issues employee blackout dates for Sept. 20 iPhone launch
T-Mobile is supposedly planning employee blackout dates between Sept. 20 and 22, the same time period in which Apple's new iPhone models are rumored to hit store shelves.

Customers line up ahead of T-Mobile's iPhone launch in April. | Source: BTIG Research's Walter Piecyk via Twitter
According to T-Mobile blog TmoNews, sources on Wednesday claimed the upcoming Sept. 20 to 22 employee blackout dates came with no explanation, but speculated a tie to an as-yet-unannounced Apple iPhone launch.
The report is in line with previous rumblings about a Sept. 20 debut for Apple's "iPhone 5S" and "iPhone 5S" handsets, which are expected to be announced on Sept. 10.
The publication points out that the blackout dates may be in relation to the release of Samsung's Galaxy Note III, as the Korean company is said to be announcing the device on Sept. 4. That scenario is unlikely, however, as a new Note model would hardly require T-Mobile to bolster its in-store staff.
Rumors surrounding Apple's next-generation iPhone are heating up ahead of the anticipated announcement, with supposed parts "leaks" popping up on the Web in the form of videos and comparison pictures. Most recently, the alleged gold colored iPhone 5S chassis and plastic composite iPhone 5C shell were subjected to durability tests in two separate videos.

Customers line up ahead of T-Mobile's iPhone launch in April. | Source: BTIG Research's Walter Piecyk via Twitter
According to T-Mobile blog TmoNews, sources on Wednesday claimed the upcoming Sept. 20 to 22 employee blackout dates came with no explanation, but speculated a tie to an as-yet-unannounced Apple iPhone launch.
The report is in line with previous rumblings about a Sept. 20 debut for Apple's "iPhone 5S" and "iPhone 5S" handsets, which are expected to be announced on Sept. 10.
The publication points out that the blackout dates may be in relation to the release of Samsung's Galaxy Note III, as the Korean company is said to be announcing the device on Sept. 4. That scenario is unlikely, however, as a new Note model would hardly require T-Mobile to bolster its in-store staff.
Rumors surrounding Apple's next-generation iPhone are heating up ahead of the anticipated announcement, with supposed parts "leaks" popping up on the Web in the form of videos and comparison pictures. Most recently, the alleged gold colored iPhone 5S chassis and plastic composite iPhone 5C shell were subjected to durability tests in two separate videos.
Comments
yay. i hope if i'm unable to get an iPhone 5S at launch that i'm at least able to get an iPhone 5S.
iPhone 5s and iPod Cellular so called "iPhone 5c. Not interested in any because they're the same as iPhone 5.
Originally Posted by fallenjt
iPhone 5s and iPod Cellular so called "iPhone 5c. Not interested in any because they're the same as iPhone 5.
Complete and utter lies. Stop it.
Yeah we know the drill.... Announcement on the 10th, preorder on the 13th to be sold out quickly and in stores on the 20th.
Huh?
They will still be sold out in a matter of minutes, easiest and fastest way is to preorder online.
I read that as well and was excited to hear about the iPhone 5s as well as the iPhone 5s models. I'm still undecided which one I'll get. I hear they're both similar.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fallenjt
iPhone 5s and iPod Cellular so called "iPhone 5c. Not interested in any because they're the same as iPhone 5.
Why don't you STFU and wait until an iPhone or iPhones are actually announced. Then you can make all the asinine comments you want,
Quote:
Originally Posted by fallenjt
iPhone 5s and iPod Cellular so called "iPhone 5c. Not interested in any because they're the same as iPhone 5.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Realistic
Why don't you STFU and wait until an iPhone or iPhones are actually announced. Then you can make all the asinine comments you want,
Better to ignore such idiotic posts. Actual details are irrelevant to such people. S/he has already decided that the 5S will not be innovative or different (enough) than the 5. The thing could include an Orgasmatron feature and it wouldn't be enough. Apple, of course, lives under a different standard than other manufacturers. While they invented the modern smartphone, they don't have 12" screens on their phones yet so clearly not innovating.
Originally Posted by Realistic
Then you can make all the asinine comments you want,
Well…
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
... the blackout dates may be in relation to the release of Samsung's Galaxy Note III... That scenario is unlikely, however, as a new Note model would hardly require T-Mobile to bolster its in-store staff.
Oooooh burn.
I wonder if they will release the new Mac Pro at the same event as the iPhone 5S/C: it would be unusual, but they have been advertising it in movie theatres recently. The rumored iPhone trade-in program is a great idea imo, it would really help to upgrade the platform to get lots of people to replace old 3GS and 4 and move to the latest OS.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timbit
It would be nice to know what an "employee blackout period" is.....
Seriously. By the context I'm assuming they mean T-Mobile is considering not allowing vacations for this period. (And they're not allowing it because of the iPhone coming. Bit of a stretch. #AppleRumorsider.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddawson100
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timbit
It would be nice to know what an "employee blackout period" is.....
Seriously. By the context I'm assuming they mean T-Mobile is considering not allowing vacations for this period. (And they're not allowing it because of the iPhone coming. Bit of a stretch. #AppleRumorsider.)
I, too, wonder what the heck an "employee blackout date" is. Must be some insider jargon. I was guessing it meant employees couldn't buy phones during that period. Or that the employees were to wear black uniforms. I dunno... could be anything.
I think the AppleInsider writer doesn't actually know, either. Because the tmonews.com article they linked to also does not explain what the blackout date is blacking out. In fact, the tmonews article headline merely questions whether tmobile is planning a blackout date--based upon an apparent scan of some tmobile trash scavenged from some dumpster--and appleinsider took the question and turned it into fait accompli. Nice way to create news, AI.
Won't be long now before the Wall St. analysts begin forecasting profits/losses on the blackout dates. But we can rest assured that whatever they forecast, it will spell doom for you-know-who.