Apple Puts Vacations on Hold, May Signal iPhone, iPad Launch

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Apple has settled claims with state regulators who allege the company mishandled electronic waste.
Apple has settled claims with state regulators who allege the company mishandled electronic waste.
Photo: Thomas Dohmke

If you are looking for Apple to introduce a new product, a good time period may be between the last week of January and the first half of February. The Cupertino, Calif. company reportedly has cancelled vacations for its retail employees during that period, a possible signal a new product launch is imminent.

Apple has ordered the so-called vacation “black-out” period of three weeks after retail managers began expressing “reluctance” to grant employee requests for days off for January, according to a blog citing “people familiar” with the firm’s retail plans.


Additionally, Apple has taken the unusual step of retaining extra holiday retail staff usually let go after the Christmas shopping period, another signal a “major product launch” is in the offing.

At the top of the list of potential major product announcements is a deal to offer the iPhone through Verizon. A number of publications have reported Apple could make the announcements either in January or early this year. Another possibility is introducing the much-discussed iPad 2, a quick follow-up to the initial iPad, released less than a year ago. Along with major product roll-outs, Apple could also have upgrades of is Mac line of computers.

[AppleInsider]

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