False alarm: iPhone NOT delayed until October, Leopard NOT delayed again until January

This one doesn't bode well for Mac fans and the iPhone-hopeful: we have it on authority that as of today, the iPhone launch is being pushed back from June to... October (!), and Leopard is again seeing a delay, this time being pushed all the way back to January. Of 2008. The latest WWDC Leopard beta will still be handed out, but it looks like Apple-quality takes time, and we're sure Jobs would remind everyone that it's not always about "writing a check", but just how much time are these two products really going to take?

Update:

Here's the story. A trustworthy source supplied us with an actual internal Apple email that went out to thousands of Apple employees earlier today (published after the break). The fact that this was an email sent within Apple's internal email system to its employees is not in question. Let us reiterate: this was an ACTUAL email distributed within Apple's internal email system to Apple employees.

As it turns out, the internal memo Apple employees received was actually retracted by Apple shortly after it was sent out. (Also published after the break.) We received confirmation from Apple PR that this initial email sent out to Apple employees was incorrect, and they let us know that the iPhone and Leopard are both still on track, and should meet their expected launch timeframes.

Presumably Apple is now on the hunt for whomever was able to spoof its internal email system.

Original Apple email

From: Bullet News
Date: May 16, 2007 9:09 AM CDT
To: [redacted]
Subject: Mac OS X Leopard and iPhone Delayed

Mac OS X Leopard Delayed Until January
iPhone Delayed Until October

REGIONS: Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Japan, Latin America, United States
GROUPS: AppleCare, Retail

Apple issued a press release today announcing that iPhone which was scheduled to ship in June, has been moved to October and the release date for Mac OS X Leopard has been moved to January next year. A beta version of Mac OS X Leopard will be given to developers at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).


Apple email redaction

From: [redacted]
Date: May 16, 2007 10:47 AM CDT
To: [redacted]
Subject: NEWS: Disregard Bullet*News Sent May 16 at Approximately 9 a.m. Central--AP/CA/EU/JP/LA/US

You may have received what appeared to be a Bullet*News from Apple. This communication is fake and did not come from Apple.

Apple is on track to ship iPhone in late June and Mac OS X Leopard in October.

[Bradley @ May 16th 2007 12:38PM]

I agree. At least its made a comeback since the rumor was posted...

[kirk @ May 16th 2007 12:37PM]

technically, unless you sold you shares of apple ... you haven't lost anything.

[Kelemor @ May 16th 2007 1:11PM]

or people should just drink a beer and go...damn my stock is heading back up......cant wait for it to be at 110 dollars.

[farfisa @ May 16th 2007 11:53AM]

Maybe Jobs wants to be the only one with an iPhone for just a little while longer...

[anonymouspimp @ May 16th 2007 11:54AM]

*Insert Apple Fanboy Excuse Here*

[Strife @ May 16th 2007 11:54AM]

Apple fails.

[James Whited @ May 16th 2007 11:54AM]

Um, sources please, Apple has nothing on this their press site. I'll believe it when I see more solid proof.

[laszlo Panaflex @ May 16th 2007 11:55AM]

I can see the iPhone being pushed back, but pushing Leopard back even further, that's crazy. Personally, I would be ok if the iPhone was pushed back to ad 3G, as it stands right now, I am waiting for the 3g version.

[St3phen @ May 16th 2007 11:55AM]

On what is this based? It's not even April 1. This is not very funny.

[McGinley @ May 16th 2007 11:55AM]

This is getting ridiculous.It will bring the hype to new heights in October.

[andy @ May 16th 2007 11:55AM]

BS

[FregTK @ May 16th 2007 11:56AM]

This simply does not make any sense.

Apple only pushed Leopard back a few weeks ago, and confirmed the iPhone shipping even more recently when they released their quarterly earnings.

Is someone pulling your leg?

[Dax @ May 16th 2007 11:58AM]

Im skeptical of this report. Apple just insured its shareholders, as did AT&T, that the iPhone would ship on time. A lot of the fanfare surrounding the iPhone will be greatly depreciated by October.

[kevo @ May 16th 2007 11:58AM]

So long as 3G and MS Outlook mail/calendar support are added, I'm happy waiting since I am waiting for that anyway. (Who really cares about push Yahoo!?)

[St3phen @ May 16th 2007 11:58AM]

I call shenanigans. Unless there are problems with the FCC certification, there's no way Apple will miss it's commitment with AT&T (neé Cingular) Wireless

[Screed @ May 16th 2007 11:58AM]

Oooouuuuch! (If true) I feel punched in the kidneys!

Clearly "something" in Leopard is wholly married to a function in the iPhone.

[Panathas17 @ May 16th 2007 11:59AM]

C'mon, been waiting enough apple.....

[Andy J @ May 16th 2007 12:00PM]

Also,
Jobs announced the iWatch delayed until he can tell time.
Jobs ends the press conference by blowing into a Conch shell.

[Kevin @ May 16th 2007 12:00PM]

I have no problem believing engadget on "faith" as they are usually right... but i'd love to see some proof!

[o rly @ May 16th 2007 12:00PM]

No excuse unless 3G and possibly GPS are added.

[Hank_Swabbo @ May 16th 2007 12:00PM]

If this is actually true (which is at best a 50/50 shot), my guess would be they're holding back to launch with 16GB so that the 1st Gen iPhone is not obsolete by XMas '07.

[William Robinson @ May 16th 2007 12:18PM]

This is a false story meant to move Apple's stock down for Options Expiration (this Friday).

[nick @ May 16th 2007 12:01PM]

Sources please.

[Core 3 @ May 16th 2007 12:02PM]

fake

[anonymouspimp @ May 16th 2007 12:04PM]

Man... when will Microsoft learn how to set release dates???

Wait... what? Apple?

Oh the irony!

[JohnSmith @ May 16th 2007 12:14PM]

Well you know Windows has been copying Apple for so long... turn about is only fair pay.

[kevin @ May 16th 2007 12:05PM]

the "statement" linked by TUAW is completely bogus.

and even if it were true, i'd bet that apple actually could have solved the problem by writing more checks (i.e. hiring a larger engineering staff)

[Darnell @ May 16th 2007 12:07PM]

I cannot wait any longer. There are a whole crop of smartphones popping upa nd I will have to pull the trigger on one of them this summer. If it isn't the iPhone, then so be it.


I'm an Apple fanboy and I don't do excuses.

[St3phen @ May 16th 2007 12:09PM]

"kevin," that's the problem. Engadget (not TUAW) links to no "statement" whatsoever. At this point, this is wholly unsubstantiated.

[Mo-Beat @ May 16th 2007 12:10PM]

Yo brah, we're supposed to trust your good authority?

You really ought to back this one up with something better than that. This is some serious claims.

[Hayes @ May 16th 2007 12:13PM]

im as big of an apple fanboy their is, but this is just hilariously inexcusable. What a joke. Good job apple, good job.

[Tom @ May 16th 2007 12:14PM]

Wow, talk about some irresponsible reporting. If you don't have a source to attribute a story like this to, then you should be very careful what you say. I would definitely be consulting a lawyer on this one...

[Wyseguy @ May 16th 2007 12:15PM]

This is a hoax. Check Apple's PR site later today (http://apple.com/pr)

[Kevin @ May 16th 2007 12:15PM]

Oh Ryan Block! You silly silly man!

[Yev @ May 16th 2007 12:15PM]

What hedge fund is your source !!! You people have no clue, I cannot believe you would disseminate information like this without siting your source !!!

SCUM, this is the last time I am reading this crummy website.

[Craig @ May 16th 2007 12:15PM]

Engadget is getting horribly sloppy with their news reporting as of late.

First it was the HD-DVD WalMart player, then it was Universal going neutral, now it's this?

Come on guys. Get your act together. You're rapidly losing credibility.

[Ross @ May 16th 2007 12:15PM]

Ok, how about this for proof that Engadget is right? For those of you keeping up with Apple.com and Cingular.com, major changes regarding the iPhone released date have occurred. A) Apple.com USED to feature the commercial "Hello." that announced the iPhone coming this June. THAT has been removed. B) Cingular.com used to tell people the iPhone was "Coming June." It now reads: "Coming SOON."

I think, SADLY, Endgadget might be right....

[themartorana @ May 16th 2007 12:16PM]

It makes plenty of sense - iPhone for the XMas season, Leopard to headline MacWorld. Apple likes releasing products around events, and WWDC (when the iPhone doesn't support third party development) is not the iPhone event, and Leopard in October is based around nothing - hence a much smaller frenzy.

[thegrey @ May 16th 2007 12:16PM]

Way to go Ryan, you knocked down APPL stock price by $5

[St3phen @ May 16th 2007 12:16PM]

So lemme get this straight. Engadged comes-up with unsubstantiated rumors that wouldn't even qualify for MacRumors' Page 2, posts it as news, then calls Apple PR and has them make a statement in response to Engadget's post about an unsubstantiated rumor? I can just imagine how that call went.

"Hey, we just posted a story on our blog stating that both the iPhone and Leopard are delayed. What is your reaction?"

[nick @ May 16th 2007 12:18PM]

Maybe you guys should verify your information with more than just one source next time.

[Jed @ May 16th 2007 12:19PM]

Ryan, you just made someone a BOATLOAD of money. I hope you sold apple short before you posted this story. Bastard.

[jacob santiago @ May 16th 2007 12:19PM]

Thanks engadget. My stock just dropped.

[Rich @ May 16th 2007 12:19PM]

I hope it isn't pushed back. I couldn't stand another six months of hype and fanboys.

As soon as it comes out, it'll soon be forgotten when reality hits home.

[William Robinson @ May 16th 2007 12:19PM]

Don't believe everything you hear: iPhone and Leopard NOT delayed

By Jacqui Cheng | Published: May 16, 2007 - 11:05AM CT

This morning, an internal memo was sent to some Apple employees saying that both the iPhone and Leopard had been pushed back again. The iPhone was allegedly delayed until October and Leopard—previously delayed from June to October—was now delayed until January.

Certain sources appear to have also gotten wind of this "news," but apparently did not wait for the alleged press release that was to come with the announcement. Here's a tip guys: When the memo says there will definitely be a PR to accompany the "news," wait for the PR.

As it turns out, the internal memo was (apparently) a hoax. Apple sent out a followup memo to its employees saying:

You may have received what appeared to be a Bullet*News from Apple. This communication is fake and did not come from Apple. Apple is on track to ship iPhone in late June and Mac OS X Leopard in October.

According to Apple, both the iPhone and Leopard are still on track to ship as previously expected. Now, back to your regularly scheduled program.

[z @ May 16th 2007 12:19PM]

Just to say that Apple is known for blowing false information into insider's ears in order to uncover them. I agree with the previous comment: 50% chance this info is correct, 50% your source is going to be out of a job and bankrupt in no time... ;(

[John from Buffalo @ May 16th 2007 12:20PM]

Seriously .... Leopard put off by 7 months? How much more Aqua tweaking does a team of 100 engineers really need?! My God. I don't believe it one bit.

- J

[St3phen @ May 16th 2007 12:21PM]

Wow, Ryan. Good deal on the stock. No kidding on the huge hit this shenanigan caused. Expect to hear from Apple Legal. Oh, and Engadget: Maybe you should hire bloggers who, oh I don't know, check their sources before posting inflammatory unsubstantiated information that cause real losses to real people.

And to all of you who bought this (especially the "haters"): think first. Then post.

[mrsalty @ May 16th 2007 12:21PM]

The iphone is on tract for a LATE JUNE launch I can verify that 100%. However, you probably won't be able to get your hands on one till the middle of July...especially since the Cingular DATA trainers have yet to even touch one yet, and takes about 3 weeks when pushed to get the DATA courses out to folks. We will only be doing online training at this time with the IPHONE, no hands on yet, kinda sucks but that's how it goes.

[rick @ May 16th 2007 12:22PM]

If it weren't for the fact that your BS comments provided us the oppty to buy more stock I would say you jerks should be sued. Maybe you will be anyway. Which short fed you the "info"? LOL