TeachAde

AppleInsider has learned that Apple is limiting employee vacations, starting the last week of January and lasting for three weeks. Usually, that's indicative of a major product launch.

BGR has confirmed a vacation blackout for Feb 3-6, indicating that the Verizon iPhone may be the product to be launched:

While BGR has not yet confirmed that the Verizon iPhone is the device we’ll see debut on the 3rd, the timing lines up very well with previous reports; no other Apple products have been rumored to be launching in this time frame.

Only employees with seniority can take some time off, but nobody else.

Another tip that something's up is many of the company's holiday-retail staff was retained after the holiday season shut down.

ifoAppleStore.com also reported that a popular product -- or raft of products -- will be introduced in late january to early February.

The Verizon-compatible iPhone is a long-standing rumor (that seems calcified into truth, but isn't confirmed). An update to MacBook Pros andiPads are possible.

And a kick-start to the Air has been floated before, too.

And, of course, there's at least one more thing before the Lion OS launches later this year, too.