One tipster tells us there are "major layoffs" at Apple. Another writes that "all sales teams have mandatory meetings today" and that "HR booked conference rooms in Cupertino." Is Apple cutting salespeople loose?

If so, then Apple's latest product announcements seem like a conveniently timed distraction. Apple CEO Steve Jobs has never been a big believer a corporate sales force, preferring to sell directly to customers online. Al Shipp, Apple's SVP of enterprise sales, quietly left the company in November and was not replaced. Does anyone know more? Drop us a line.

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