AT&T possibly preparing for a September iPhone launch?

Shawn Knight

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The perpetual motion rumor mill surrounding Apple is in full force as we move closer to their annual fall iPod media event. Cupertino shuffled their cards a bit back in June when they didn’t announce the next-generation iPhone at the WWDC 2011. This was in stark contrast to the previous three years where Apple had introduced the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, respectively. 

Apple aficionado BGR reports that both Apple and AT&T are recruiting additional sales help for a fall iPhone launch. The hiring of additional seasonal help isn’t uncommon as back-to-school sales bring in a lot of foot traffic near the end of summer, but those sales are generally wrapped up before September.  Moving the iPhone announcement / launch to September could pave the way for an exit of the declining iPod line, the device that many consider is responsible for their overwhelming success today.

“We have been told that AT&T has begun informing employees across the company, and those who work in retail locations, to finish any sort of employee training as soon as possible. AT&T is asking managers to finish training in order to have employees available for the influx of foot traffic expected in September," says BGR. "Other reports indicate that Apple is looking to hire additional Apple Store staff to be on hand for “new product launches” during the same period of time, further supporting our information.”

Apple has remained tight-lipped about the iPhone refresh that was MIA last month but some rumors have suggested a possible overheating issue with their A5 chip. Other gossip suggests the staggered announcement is a strategic move used to buy time for 4G LTE development and integration.

Details on the next-gen iPhone are bleak at this point but the prevalent rumors point to faster internal hardware, a thinner chassis and possibly a larger "edge-to-edge" display.  Still others believe that the next iPhone will feature a radical new design with a contured rear panel. 

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Well, I see no reason not to go with a contoured design. Everyone already knows what iPod touches look like, now just throw on a bigger (4.3" maybe?) screen and better camera + 4G LTE support and you've got your new iPhone. Well, of course a newer processor as well, but that's beside the point. The bigger you make the screen, the thinner everything else can be made because it can be spread out, easily allowing for a contoured design instead of a brick like design. Not that the iPhone 4 is bad in anyway, just its a little thicker than it should be.
 
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