A job posting for iPhone sales specialists on employment website Reed could indicate that the iPhone 5 will be released in mid-August.
The post, which was sent to us by a tipster, asks for "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". The posting appears several times on Reed, with each post covering a different area of the UK.
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.
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 awards page on Gekko's website indicates that it has worked with Apple in the past on shops within shops -- the specific Apple-branded sections within larger outlets. We'd wager that Gekko is hiring to fill these sections, as one of the responsibilities of the advertised role is to "ensure the Apple area within the store is effectively merchandised".
Other responsibilities include completing daily reports, providing a "first-class customer service experience" and to "capture the hearts and minds of potential customers". Successful applicants will also be required to attend a four-day training event in London. If you're keen on applying, the job pays a very respectable £75 per day.
We've been hearing that the iPhone 5 would be appearing in September, but this could mean Apple is planning to surprise us with an August launch.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 12
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Anonymous 13 July, 2011 11:13
I'd guess September is still good. The recruits may need some new product training and some time to get the merchandise area up to speed. I doubt they'll have phones to sell on day one of their engagement.
anonymous 13 July, 2011 12:30
If it launches in September, I'll still have until December when my iPhone 4 contract runs out.
If there's a 4S, I'll stick with what I've got. If the rumours are true and there's an iPhone 5 also, with dual core etc, then I'll have to somehow pay off my old contract to get this....?
Anonymous 13 July, 2011 14:15
Another misleading headline from cnet uk. Nowhere in the advert does it point to an August 16th launch of anything, just the start of a job that mentions selling iPhones.
Anonymous 13 July, 2011 15:15
Maybe lots of time to try and figure out how it works? From past experience, the "geniuses" don't have much training and just stand around acting smug that they work at the Apple store.
Anonymous 13 July, 2011 17:27
How is it misleading? the job adverts say that they will have to attend 4 days of training in London and will start on August 15th /16th. That's a lot of new jobs and training just to sell more of the iPhone 4 isn't it.
Anonymous 13 July, 2011 22:48
im a assistant manager at an o2 branch in near Newcastle and there going to be doing something called anytime upgrades which you calculate your line rental times the amount of months you have left then take off 40% and that's your total. don't forget youl get a few hundred for your iPhone 4 to sell.
Anonymous 14 July, 2011 11:07
It's misleading because the headline says "points to iPhone LAUNCH on 16th August"
Anonymous 14 July, 2011 12:44
Well it does point to a LAUNCH on 16th August. Whether it actually launches on August is a different matter. Seems some people are easily mislead.
Anonymous 14 July, 2011 17:33
I mean burnt toast is GOOD but I'd rather have cotton wool.
When I was younger I had a pet kitten. I liked it very much.
Don't get me wrong but the sun looked like a tricycle last t night.
Sometimes I stare into the sky and wonder what color my eyes are.
People are mean to me when I skinny dip, it's not my fault I'm overweight.
I once threw a stone at a ladder.
My favorite movie is "when potatoes attack part XI."
After brunch I smile at the flowers on my roof.
I'm not ashamed of curtains they are who they are.
anonymous 14 July, 2011 22:15
Seems reasonable. You don't need much training to stand near the door and clap when people walk out with iphones.
anonymous 18 July, 2011 02:03
What's different from iPhone 4? I am using iPhone 4 on the job. This one still 1 years old.
So I can not change it yet. However I am interested in the point of different spec.
anonymous 17 August, 2011 03:25
iphone case