iPhone debuts in Germany, shortages? [U]

The German iPhone launch happened today in Cologne, with shuttles bringing customers from Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich. Ahead of the full-scale deployment in the UK and Germany, one T-Mobile store has opened at 12:01 AM to allow anxious customers to be the the first to purchase the official European iPhone. Customers in Germany will be paying 400 €, which will include a two year T-Mobile contract. Italian news site setteB.IT has been covering the event from 6PM, local time, and has provided us with a glimpse of what happened before the official product launch.

Update: German iPhone customers are excitedly registering their new devices, but demand may be outweighing supply this holiday season, according to Deutche Telekom CEO Rene Obermann. "We're not giving out precise forecasts, but registrations on our Web site lead me to believe (the Christmas sales period) will be a strong sales period," Obermann said. "The real question for me is whether we have enough devices and can meet customer demand."

Many anxious clients braved wind and rain while waiting for T-Mobile to begin selling the iPhone, but were greeted warmly with cheers and applause by store staff. Workers for T-Mobile also began handing out blankets, umbrellas, hot beverages, and pretzels to customers still waiting outside. SetteB.IT has updated their picture gallery of the German iPhone launch, and we have posted a few selections below.