Apple appears to be having trouble keeping its new iPhone 3G in stock in the U.S., as reports suggest few phones were available in Apples stores.
The problem appears to be exacerbated by the simultaneous launch of the iPhone 3G across international markets. Another factor driving demand is likely because exclusive carrier AT&T is offering subsidies on the iPhone 3G, making the price considerably less than when the first-generation iPhone launched.
SEVERE SHORTAGES
An Apple fan site reported severe shortages in California and New York. It said only one store in California had stock on hand, and that was limited to the black 16GB model. It also said Apples 5th Avenue store was the only outlet in New York with stock, limited to the white 16GB model.
The Web site for the Apple Retail Store has a tool to check iPhone availability at Apples stores in the U.S., but it appeared to be disabled Monday and a notice advised visitors to return after 9 p.m. Reportedly, last week only 13 Apple stores had all three iPhone 3G models in stock, and on Sunday no stores had all the models. Those models are the black 8GB, the white 16GB, and the black 16GB versions.
AT&T stores began running out of stock just four days after the July 11 launch for the iPhone 3G. AT&T says the average wait time for the iPhone 3G is now about three weeks.
There were also problems on launch day, with AT&T reporting in-store iPhone 3G activations were stopped at about 9:30 a.m. Eastern time because of issues with the iTunes 7.7 software needed to configure the device. AT&T then recommended that customers activate the smartphones at home.
Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at JupiterResearch, noted that the July 11 launch started in New Zealand and was to continue on to California as stores opened. He was not surprised by the activation problems.
On launch day, Gartenberg visited both an AT&T store and an Apple store in New York City and reported lines were moving smoothly, but an AT&T store in midtown ran out of the 16GB iPhone 3G as early as 9 a.m.
A HIT, DESPITE PROBLEMS
With customers waiting in long lines outside the stores on launch day, the iPhone 3G appeared to be a big hit, but the glitches may have soured some early adopters.
"Any time you have that many people pounding on the same servers trying to do the same thing at literally the same time, I expect you are going to see some issues," Gartenberg said of the activation issues. "I did see some people having some small problems, but I also saw literally more people buying their phone, getting out and going on to the next thing."
Gartenberg also noted a number of business types in line at an AT&T store in the middle of midtown Manhattan. "Men and women in full business attire were waiting in line. These are not the sort of people usually youd see on day one of the launch," he said. "Many of these folks were checking their Blackberries as they apparently waited for their opportunity to get an iPhone. If thats indicative of any trend, that bodes well for Apple."
The problem appears to be exacerbated by the simultaneous launch of the iPhone 3G across international markets. Another factor driving demand is likely because exclusive carrier AT&T is offering subsidies on the iPhone 3G, making the price considerably less than when the first-generation iPhone launched.
SEVERE SHORTAGES
An Apple fan site reported severe shortages in California and New York. It said only one store in California had stock on hand, and that was limited to the black 16GB model. It also said Apples 5th Avenue store was the only outlet in New York with stock, limited to the white 16GB model.
The Web site for the Apple Retail Store has a tool to check iPhone availability at Apples stores in the U.S., but it appeared to be disabled Monday and a notice advised visitors to return after 9 p.m. Reportedly, last week only 13 Apple stores had all three iPhone 3G models in stock, and on Sunday no stores had all the models. Those models are the black 8GB, the white 16GB, and the black 16GB versions.
AT&T stores began running out of stock just four days after the July 11 launch for the iPhone 3G. AT&T says the average wait time for the iPhone 3G is now about three weeks.
There were also problems on launch day, with AT&T reporting in-store iPhone 3G activations were stopped at about 9:30 a.m. Eastern time because of issues with the iTunes 7.7 software needed to configure the device. AT&T then recommended that customers activate the smartphones at home.
Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at JupiterResearch, noted that the July 11 launch started in New Zealand and was to continue on to California as stores opened. He was not surprised by the activation problems.
On launch day, Gartenberg visited both an AT&T store and an Apple store in New York City and reported lines were moving smoothly, but an AT&T store in midtown ran out of the 16GB iPhone 3G as early as 9 a.m.
A HIT, DESPITE PROBLEMS
With customers waiting in long lines outside the stores on launch day, the iPhone 3G appeared to be a big hit, but the glitches may have soured some early adopters.
"Any time you have that many people pounding on the same servers trying to do the same thing at literally the same time, I expect you are going to see some issues," Gartenberg said of the activation issues. "I did see some people having some small problems, but I also saw literally more people buying their phone, getting out and going on to the next thing."
Gartenberg also noted a number of business types in line at an AT&T store in the middle of midtown Manhattan. "Men and women in full business attire were waiting in line. These are not the sort of people usually youd see on day one of the launch," he said. "Many of these folks were checking their Blackberries as they apparently waited for their opportunity to get an iPhone. If thats indicative of any trend, that bodes well for Apple."
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar