Edible Apple

Apple has started denying employee requests for vacation time during the second week of October, providing even more proof that Apple’s next-gen iPhone launch will take place just a week or two after Tim Cook will introduce the iPhone 4S and/or iPhone 5 on October 4.

According to AppleInsider, the blacked out vacation dates aren’t uniform with one being in effect from October 9 through the 12th while another being in effect from October 14 through the 15th.

The first block of dates — the 9th through the 12 — could pertain to the release of iOS 5 for existing iOS device owners on Monday the 10th. As AppleInsider reported last week, certain segments of the company’s AppleCare divisions have been told to prepare for an influx of iOS-related inquiries on that same day.

The rollout of iOS 5 days before the next-gen iPhone launch seems to be par for the course for Apple. Last year, for example, the company pushed out iOS 4 just 3 days before the iPhone 4 launch. It followed a similar strategy with iOS 3 and the iPhone 3GS in 2009 as well.

Again, it’s been reported that Apple will hold a special media event to announce its fifth-generation iPhone/s on October 4. While an official launch date for these phone/s remains uncertain, Apple has historically shortened the lag time between product unveilings and launch dates considerably over the past few years. Consequently, many believe the iPhone 4S and/or iPhone 5 will launch on October 14th at the earliest and October 21st at the latest.

Also of note is that Apple stores in the UK have also been instructed to cancel employee vacation time during the first two weeks in October.