It seems that every other day the Apple iPhone is in the news. This is especially surprising when you consider that the iPhone debuted a year ago, and has already wowed the press and consumers with its sleek, user-friendly design.
But if the latest news reports are correct, the iPhone could now be making news because it’s actually too popular! The New York Times is reporting that there is a shortage of iPhone’s at Apple’s retail outlet stores in the United States. The shortage has prompted a frenzy of speculation among industry insiders, and many believe the current “shortage” is just Apple’s way of phasing out the current version, to make way for a new and improved iPhone to be debuted later this year.
In the past, Apple has often led their inventory of existing products run low when they were on the verge of releasing a new model. For example, retailers reported a shortage of Apple iPods available from the manufacturer, just before the video iPod was released. But could the current shortage of iPhone’s be just a coincidence, or simply the result of poor management? A few analysts say it’s very possible.
Industry expert A.M. Saccanaghi notes that there is no shortage of Apple iPhone’s outside the United States, where the company’s retail outlets are well-stocked, particularly in the European market. Mr. Saccanaghi believes that this fact makes it highly unlikely that Apple is allowing iPhone stocks to shrink in preparation for a new model release. But other analysts are not quite satisfied with this explanation.
Either way though, industry insiders say that a new 3G iPhone is likely to be introduced later this year, although the phone may sell significantly better in Europe, where there are more 3G enabled wireless networks.
When asked for a comment about the shortage of iPhone stocks in their US stores, an Apple representative would only say that the company is working to “replenish iPhone supplies as quickly as we can,” according to the New York Times story. Obviously, whatever the reason for the inventory shortage, Apple is keeping their mouths shut for the time being, fueling the never-ending rumor mill that surrounds both the company and their best-known product.
Apple has been under increasing pressure this year to stop releasing updates and new versions of their products every four to six weeks. Many iPod touch and iPhone buyers have been outraged to discover that only weeks after purchasing the latest model, Apple had released and “improved” version, boasting more features for less money.
At the rate they are going, Apple’s motto will soon be, “upgrade or die.”
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