AT&T Prepares Employees for iPhone 5 Launch

The latest information on an iPhone 4S / 5 launch seems to be pointing to an announcement toward the end of August, with a launch by mid-September.

The timeline, which BGR implies comes from an AT&T source, says that AT&T has has begun communicating launch plans internally within the company. It has also told employees to complete any employee training as soon as possible.

In addition, Apple is said to be on a recruiting blitz for its U.S. retail stores, even going so far as to begin contacting past employees to return as part-time employees.

Earlier, several sources noted an ad for an iPhone sales position that listed a timeframe from August 16 until October 29, 2011, so these new rumors all fall in line with that timing.

Most have been pointing to a September / October launch for the iPhone 5, although it's still unclear if Apple is going to release a minimally changed iPhone 4S, an iPhone 5, or both. It's also rumored that the iPhone 3GS would still be sold, free on-contract, along with the typical one-year old iPhone 4 at $99 on-contract.

One thing is for sure: the launch of the next-generation iPhone will be soon, because the rumor mill has begun pumping out tons of grist.
Tags:  Apple, iPhone, ATT