US, UK Apple Stores halt iPhone orders
updated 12:30 pm EDT, Sat May 10, 2008
iPhone Gone in US and UK
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.
Makes sense.
05/10, 02:30pm (1 reply) reply
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...
danviento
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
I hope..
05/10, 02:36pm reply
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...
Grrr
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Jun 2001
Here come mad customers!!
05/10, 03:29pm reply
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.
shaunymac
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
if we know Steve,
05/11, 12:00am reply
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 ;-)
chotty
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2003
How to kill iPhone sales
05/11, 01:05am (1 reply) reply
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.
johnblommers
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2003
Do like Amazon.com does
05/11, 01:33am reply
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.
MeandmyMac
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2008
good timing...
05/11, 01:31pm reply
... i just left my iphone on the plane. came back 15 minutes later, before the next flight loaded, no iphone.
weeeeeeeee 3G!
rtbarry
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Uh oh!
05/11, 01:46pm reply
There hasn't been any iPhone news in the last 5 minutes. What could it mean?!?!?
Eriamjh
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Oct 2001
hey
05/11, 02:06pm reply
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.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001