Apple typically covers a large product launch with a large product announcement. I'd expect an announcement at least a couple days before looping in the stores for two reasons:
1) That many employees will be difficult to keep quite. It is my understanding that typically retail employees find out about a product launch along with the general public.
2) Soft launching or just launching via retail stores wastes a significant opportunity for Apple to garner extended coverage in the press. Why limit yourself to just one big press hoopla when with an announcement AND a launch you get two.
All that said, BGR has nailed stuff in the past and Apple likes to keep people on their toes.
1) That many employees will be difficult to keep quite. It is my understanding that typically retail employees find out about a product launch along with the general public.
2) Soft launching or just launching via retail stores wastes a significant opportunity for Apple to garner extended coverage in the press. Why limit yourself to just one big press hoopla when with an announcement AND a launch you get two.
All that said, BGR has nailed stuff in the past and Apple likes to keep people on their toes.