Apple Job Postings May Suggest August iPhone 5 Launch

[Michael Essany]

If there is one thing we've learned about job postings at Apple, it's that rabid Apple fans never take those postings at face value. The conspiracy theorists out there always read more into the listings than they probably should. Nonetheless, some are once again interpreting Apple's latest retail job listing as a sign that the iPhone 5 may launch as soon as August 16th.

Apple is notoriously secretive when it comes to product launches, but seemingly has hired recruitment agency Gekko Ltd to find a bunch of aspiring Geniuses on its behalf.

The job posting in question reads like this: "full-time iPhone Sales Staff for an exciting project to work 5 days a week (Tuesday-Saturday) for the period 16th August - 29th October within key retail stores." But here's the catch. This posting is only for the UK. That's right, Apple is looking to beef up its British retail force.

The folks at CNET UK took the information and ran with it. "It sounds as if Apple is looking to bolster its sales staff, and the only reason we can think is that there's a big product launch on the horizon," the report states. Subsequently, the tech blogosphere is buzzing about August representing the fastest approaching possible iPhone 5 launch window we've heard about in a while.

So... are people reading too much into these particular job postings in the UK? From where I stand, I think the definite answer is yes. After all, just yesterday we learned that Apple is now the fastest growing retailer in the US. And rampant growth is noted around the globe. Big, growing companies require big and ever-expanding teams of retail employees. Hiring doesn't always equate to new product launches.

All signs - based on industry and analyst reports - still point to a September unveiling and release of the 5th generation iPhone.

Source: CNET UK

[Loxs]

Funny thing is, is that this is a job in my home town. Yet we don't even have any apple retail stores in Ipswich...we have an iStore but thats just a reseller. Perhaps this isn't directly for apple...it isn't an apple jobs posting its on a jobwebsite and being recruited for by an recruitment company...I would have thought if it were for apple they would recruit directly via their website as usual. Perhaps alot of hot air about nothing.

[vantheman169]

if this is true happy birthday to me!

[Stray]

Same here i hope its in August

[thetoothfairy]

I am ready! Hope its in August as well! I have been checking out other phones and some are really looking rather nice to me..... I haven't jumped yet but I feel Apple is behind myself right now compared to what I have been checking out.

[that_girl]

October 4, August 5, blah, blah, blah. It's all just speculation at this point. My belief is that the iPhone 5 will come out on September 22.

[Stray]

Why September 22?

[that_girl]

Why September 22?

It's rumored that the new iPhone will come out in September and I think it would be likely for it to be released early fall.

[feidhlim1986]

I'd hardly call a part-time worker that's hired just to swipe peoples credit cards to pay for their new iPhone a "sales specialist"