Nebulous delays hit new international iPad shipments
updated 01:30 pm EDT, Mon May 24, 2010
Apple switches to ambiguous 'June' timeframe
It is unclear when new international iPad orders will ship, investigation reveals. While the first pre-ordered wave of tablets is set to reach homes and stores by May 28th, Apple's online storefronts in the UK, Italy and Germany now all display vague "June" shipping times. Previously, after launch-day supplies had been exhausted, the company began claiming a June 7th shipping date.
Apple has had serious trouble keeping up with iPad demand, to the point that many US stores have no 3G iPads in stock, or even Wi-Fi-only models. The situation is only expected to worsen with international launches, although Apple may be taking on additional suppliers to cope. The situation may not stabilize until sometime this fall, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has suggested.
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Oct 1999
Apple playing Nintendo
This is all hogwash! Apple have never got a product launch "wrong" in terms of supply and demand. Few would argue that it is actually Tim Cook who is an acknowledged expert in this area. Apple are playing Nintendo with this puppy. Drip feeding supply so as not to prematurely diminish euphoric demand. It's a clever but risky ploy except when there is no tangible competition. It's not like if you're fed up waiting you can buy an alternative as was similarly the case with the Wii. They can run existing production at full capacity with under-supply rather than incur the significant cost of tooling for additional production at a lower overall margin. I'm sure Cupertino is(are) entirely happy with the way things are going!