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June 20, 2007 2:10 PM PDT

Apple, AT&T stores could change hours on iPhone day

by Kent German
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It's iPhone madness.

(Credit: Apple.com)

Ever since we Apple confirmed the time and date of the iPhone launch, there's been a lot of speculation about whether AT&T and Apple stores will close for a short period prior to the release time to prepare for the expected onslaught of buyers. We'd be surprised if Apple pulled such a move with its retail locations--it hasn't done so in the past--but today Boy Genius told another story. According to a "leaked" AT&T document Apple and AT&T stores will close at 4:30 p.m. on June 29 and then reopen at 6 p.m. And just to satisfy the supposed masses, all locations will stay open past normal closing hours, until 10 p.m.

The document also advises AT&T stores to invest $250 in such "crowd control devices" as chains and stanchions. And it even includes a ridiculous mock script for persuading store landlords to allow the late closure. That last item makes us wonder if the whole document is a sham, but we'll know in nine days.

Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent.
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AT&T told me this June 17...
by FroZone June 20, 2007 3:20 PM PDT
On June 17 ATT told me they would close at 430 and reopen at 6. No leak there...
Reply to this comment
VA Apple Stores Always Temp. Close For Launches
by kulturhack June 20, 2007 7:30 PM PDT
I can't speak for the rest of the country, but the Tyson Corner Apple store cloed
for about an hour prior to launching the 3G iPods and the Clarendon store has
temporarily closed prior to the last two upgrades to OS X. All of the closings
were at 4:30 pm for 6:00 PM reopenings, if memory serves--and it should; I was
in all of those lines . . .
Reply to this comment
http://www.useyourface.com win an iphone
by pitapita79 June 21, 2007 5:10 AM PDT
Now you can even use your face to win an iPhone! nice contest... check it out
http://www.useyourface.com
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