14 DAY TRIAL // The latest rumor regarding the iPhone is the supposed release date of June 20th. While the rumor is still unconfirmed, there seems to be something about it, since it coincides with the end of the iPhone training period.
User reports on forums and user groups flared up at the end of last week as many started saying that CNBC had reported that the iPhone would be released on the 20th of June. It seems that the disclosure took place during "On the Money," on CNBC, where the telco analyst said that they had been given the confirmed date of the 20th. While Apple stated that the iPhone would be released in 'late June,' and there is no other statement saying otherwise, the report specifically said that the iPhone will be "in stores" on that date.
Interestingly enough, reports about the iPhone sales and support training mention that the training itself runs from May 30th to the 20th of June. The coincidence of date gives more credibility to the report, but there is still no official statement. Supposedly, the information came from an AT&T store; however, others have tried to confirm the June 20th date, without success. AT&T stores that had been called were unable to give a precise date, stating that it would be somewhere between June 11 to June 22.
While the exact date remains elusive, the interval is about right, since Apple won't want the iPhone release to be too soon after WWDC. Since Leopard was delayed, the company needs to make a very good and lasting impression on customers during the WWDC presentations where the operating systems previously 'Top Secret' features will be unveiled. Furthermore, Apple cannot afford any delay to the iPhone as the bogus Engadget report clearly showed. So there isn't that much room to maneuver.