AT&T once again hiring retail temps for June

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2014
In what is becoming an identifiable pattern, AT&T is once again on the prowl for temp workers to bolster its ranks for a 'mystery' campaign during the early summer.



A call has been put out through the Kelly Services temp agency that will see workers join AT&T's wireless division as greeters for a project known only as "Summer Project Pro."



While scarce on details of what the position entails, the request is a near-mirror of the cellular provider's efforts for the iPhone launch last year and hints that the company expects a repeat sales rush for a next-generation product this year.



In June of 2007, AT&T hired short-term workers for what ultimately amounted to crowd control. The new hires steered customers quickly through retail stores to ensure that all buyers, iPhone or otherwise, were well-treated regardless of the added store traffic.



Like the earlier plan, the latest recruiting drive also provides a familiar two-month work span for successful candidates. Work would begin on June 16th and end almost exactly three months later, on August 16th.







However, veterans of the 2007 campaign note that this doesn't necessarily point to the release of a new iPhone at the very start of that period. Temporary workers hired last year needed about a week of training before they began work in earnest, those experienced with past efforts say.



If so, the hiring campaign will swell the numbers of AT&T store staff and put enforcers on the ground during the last week of June -- or during the same approximate timeframe as the iPhone's first birthday.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 31
    If work began on June 16th, then I'm guessing new iPhone June 20th perhaps..... lets hope.
  • Reply 2 of 31
    >> Work would begin on June 16th and end almost exactly three months later, on August 16th.



    hmmm ... by my calculations that would be a 2 month gig.
  • Reply 3 of 31
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Footloose301 View Post


    If work began on June 16th, then I'm guessing new iPhone June 20th perhaps..... lets hope.



    Based on the vacation day memos from AT&T I suspect that the date is the next Friday on the 27th.
  • Reply 4 of 31
    bageljoeybageljoey Posts: 2,004member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    A call has been put out through the Kelly Services temp agency that will see workers join AT&T's wireless division as greeters for a project known only as "Summer Project Pro."




    Maybe I am crazy, but does anyone else find the use of the word "pro" interesting? Maybe this indicates the bifurcation of the iPhone line to include an iPhone and a MacPhone Pro.

    On second thought, no, I'm not crazy. There is no other way to read this.
  • Reply 5 of 31
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bageljoey View Post


    Maybe I am crazy, but does anyone else find the use of the word "pro" interesting? Maybe this indicates the bifurcation of the iPhone line to include an iPhone and a MacPhone Pro.

    On second thought, no, I'm not crazy. There is no other way to read this.



    Why MacPhone Pro? Why not iPhone Pro?
  • Reply 6 of 31
    eduardoeduardo Posts: 181member
    That AT&T cartoon graphic that accompanies the article is über lame!
  • Reply 7 of 31
    bageljoeybageljoey Posts: 2,004member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SpamSandwich View Post


    Why MacPhone Pro? Why not iPhone Pro?



    Just trying to follow Apple's naming protocal. It seems that the "i" has been reserved for the consumer (not pro) version.

    Y'know, iMac Vs. MacPro.

    Of course this logic took a hit when they rechristened the iBook line as MacBook, but I don't expect them to drop iPhone all together after all the trouble they went through to get it--besides it seems to have achieved some level of name recognition over the past year or two...
  • Reply 8 of 31
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bageljoey View Post


    Just trying to follow Apple's naming protocal. It seems that the "i" has been reserved for the consumer (not pro) version.

    Y'know, iMac Vs. MacPro.

    Of course this logic took a hit when they rechristened the iBook line as MacBook, but I don't expect them to drop iPhone all together after all the trouble they went through to get it--besides it seems to have achieved some level of name recognition over the past year or two...



    Me thinks there will be two versions - the pro with all the enterprise software bells and whistles, and a cheaper version for the rest of us. I can't see there being much difference in terms of hardware. Possible a different shell, chrome/alu v all plastic.



    I'd love to see a clamshell with the transparent touchscreen lid as suggested by Apple patents some time back, but I doubt anything like that will be revealed in this iteration.
  • Reply 9 of 31
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by paxman View Post


    Me thinks there will be two versions - the pro with all the enterprise software bells and whistles, and a cheaper version for the rest of us. I can't see there being much difference in terms of hardware. Possible a different shell, chrome/alu v all plastic.



    I'd love to see a clamshell with the transparent touchscreen lid as suggested by Apple patents some time back, but I doubt anything like that will be revealed in this iteration.



    Gads, I hope not (re: pro vs. cheapie)... I don't think Apple will do this simply because they didn't see the need to offer "Pro" versions of OSX. I think the one-flavor approach is the right one, it's the apps that will determine how the iPhone fits into the enterprise. Of course, they'll have faster iPhones, or iPhones with more storage, or maybe even something approaching a netpad eventually... but I think the apps define the user experience.
  • Reply 10 of 31
    quinneyquinney Posts: 2,528member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bageljoey View Post


    Maybe I am crazy, but does anyone else find the use of the word "pro" interesting? Maybe this indicates the bifurcation of the iPhone line to include an iPhone and a MacPhone Pro.

    On second thought, no, I'm not crazy. There is no other way to read this.



    Even if you are right (first thought) or right (second thought),

    you could still be crazy or not crazy

    or vice versa
  • Reply 11 of 31
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bageljoey View Post


    Maybe I am crazy, but does anyone else find the use of the word "pro" interesting? Maybe this indicates the bifurcation of the iPhone line to include an iPhone and a MacPhone Pro.

    On second thought, no, I'm not crazy. There is no other way to read this.



    Perhaps we are being too suspicious here. In the marketing world Pro is often used as an abbreviation for Promotion to launch a new product. My feeling is that the Pro in Summer Product Pro simply indicates a promotional launch of the new iPhone, nothing to do with brand extension. Also it is too early in the iPhone's lifecycle to be complicating the portfolio. So we should not expect to see an iPhone Pro next month, just a world-beating new iPhone, pure and simple.
  • Reply 12 of 31
    nvidia2008nvidia2008 Posts: 9,262member
    Basically these are additional part-time promoters, for what I presume/ predict, is the iPhone 3G, with AT&T 3G rollout.



    The delay is probably this: end of May/ start of June, Apple completes and rolls-out 3G iPhone. Remember, AT&T may not want to do their massive push of 3G around the time of the 3G iPhone announcement.



    Everybody is waiting for the announcement, the thing is that AT&T will need time to test, etc.



    The WWDC iPhone platform must be this: SDK, 3G, some roadmap eg. CPU/GPU/advances, and some "WiMax-esque" bubbling.
  • Reply 13 of 31
    nvidia2008nvidia2008 Posts: 9,262member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by WestByfleet View Post


    Perhaps we are being too suspicious here. In the marketing world Pro is often used as an abbreviation for Promotion to launch a new product. My feeling is that the Pro in Summer Product Pro simply indicates a promotional launch of the new iPhone, nothing to do with brand extension. Also it is too early in the iPhone's lifecycle to be complicating the portfolio. So we should not expect to see an iPhone Pro next month, just a world-beating new iPhone, pure and simple.



    Sounds good
  • Reply 14 of 31
    citycity Posts: 522member
    The AT&T hiring is for the new RIM Blackberry.
  • Reply 15 of 31
    ferazelferazel Posts: 18member
    Worst kept secret ever! They might as well give us pricing and allow us to pre-order the thing. I think even the bums on the street know a 3G is coming June 9th now.
  • Reply 16 of 31
    bageljoeybageljoey Posts: 2,004member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by quinney View Post


    Even if you are right (first thought) or right (second thought),

    you could still be crazy or not crazy

    or vice versa





    Hard to argue with that!
  • Reply 17 of 31
    nofeernofeer Posts: 2,427member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by city View Post


    The AT&T hiring is for the new RIM Blackberry.



    that's been delayed.
  • Reply 18 of 31
    hutchohutcho Posts: 132member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ferazel View Post


    Worst kept secret ever! They might as well give us pricing and allow us to pre-order the thing. I think even the bums on the street know a 3G is coming June 9th now.



    I reckon it's the best kept secret ever. Nothing official has been said about it, no pictures or specific details or anything. Quite frankly, they could not release a 3G iPhone, and everyone would look the fool for all this speculation.



    You feel it's a sure thing, but EVERYTHING up until this point is pure rumour and hersay. The secret has been incredibly well kept.
  • Reply 19 of 31
    pg4gpg4g Posts: 383member
    There's one problem with that:



    All the carrier's announcements. Carriers that are 3G only have announced (quite publically) that they will be selling iPhone, including various well-supported announcements by Vodafone and Optus. Some of the carriers clearly said "later this year" and that means 3G must arrive this year.



    Considering Mr. Jobs penchant for yearly releases of hand-held devices, and the collision of several major factors, not least of these the AT&T 3G announcement and these memos, it points to this as being most likely.



    This would have been well kept if all the carriers kept their mouths shut about everything. Steve is either A) trying to create massive hype or B) VERY ANGRY at the Telcos. Probably varies between different telcos.
  • Reply 20 of 31
    bageljoeybageljoey Posts: 2,004member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ferazel View Post


    Worst kept secret ever! They might as well give us pricing and allow us to pre-order the thing. I think even the bums on the street know a 3G is coming June 9th now.



    Hey, whatever happened to the line of thought: "The iPhone can't be coming out because they would have to file with the FCC and then word would get out."



    This line of thought was popular two months ago when some speculated a surprise iPhone update earlier than expected. Now, however, when everyone KNOWS that the iPhone is coming I don't hear it anymore...
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