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

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.