05/10/2008, 12:30pm, EDT
Saturday, May 10th
US, UK Apple Stores halt iPhone orders
Apple has quietly updated its online Apple Store in both the US and the UK to stop orders of the iPhone, marking the first time the company has ceased orders altogether since the iPhone's launch last year. Both 8GB and 16GB versions are listed as "currently unavailable" and are not given estimates for when they should return to the ordering system.
The void in Apple's stock follows a period of steadily deepening supply issues both online and at retail, with the US web store regularly listing a delay of five to seven business days for all new orders and both American and British physical outlets reporting frequent, though not always sustained, shortages of the devices at their stores in recent weeks. O2 in Britain had once reported an excess supply but has since reported that a promotional price cut has quickly drained inventory, including the non-discounted 16GB model.
Multiple analysts have labeled the international shortages as evidence of the build-up to a 3G iPhone launch caused by Apple ramping down production for current models as it transitions to manufacturing the phone's more advanced replacement.
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Makes sense.
Why offer a product when the enormously vast majority of people are going to hold off and wait for the announced better version? They might even end up thanking you since they were about to make an uninformed decision they'd regret.
As for it effecting stock value, would it really matter to Apple? The company is in this for the long hall, not day trading. One less thing to get distracted by in a period of success...
I hope..
I hope this 3G iPhone comes soon. Not that I want one. Im just sick to death of non stop iPhone news postings, rumours and general forum postings going on & on & on & on about it...
Here come mad customers!!
I agree with Grr on this one. I am a little bored with all of the iPhone news/rumors flooding the sites. I know that is why we come here, but it seems as if it has taken over. The only thing about the 3G coming out now, is that they will soon be talking about 4g or whatever is next to come for a year. When and will we ever see apple as a computer first company again? Oh, that phone looks a little like mine :). Mine was painted 2 months after i got it, by me not colorware if thats what you were thinking.
if we know Steve,
He'll by-pass 3G all together and go with WIMAX.
And yes, this company is in it for the long HAUL... though I bet there are some long HALLS in Cupertino. Oy Vay ;-)
How to kill iPhone sales
Once a vendor announces plans for a better product it usually kills demand for the current product. If I recall correctly it is the cell phone companies that could not keep their mouth shut about the 3G iPhone. Apple has to learn how to deal with these "partners" as best it can. Apple as a rule never pre-announces new products.
Do like Amazon.com does
Announce the product but with no pics or tech jargon and take orders now, money too, and ship after WWDC... thus, there would be no halting of iPhone "sales" or income to Apple's coffers.
good timing...
... i just left my iphone on the plane. came back 15 minutes later, before the next flight loaded, no iphone.
weeeeeeeee 3G!
Uh oh!
There hasn't been any iPhone news in the last 5 minutes. What could it mean?!?!?
hey
Like the xRAID, maybe Apple has just decided to kill the product?
But supplies must really be bad for apple to just stop orders. I don't know how often they've ever done that. Even if there's going to be a replacement, they'll Usually just take orders for the current model and deal with upgrading them at the time.