Apple’s iPhone shortage due to supply issues or prepping for new model?
Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 04:47 PM EST "Recent shortages of iPhones at Apple stores and long order times through Apple's online store have industry analysts debating about whether the company is trying to clear inventory and shelf space in advance of releasing the next version of the iPhone," Rex Crum reports for MarketWatch."Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray said that a random sample of 20 Apple retail stores across the United States found no availability of iPhones, while lead times remained at between five and seven days for ordering the devices from Apple's online store. Munster outlined two likely reasons for the iPhone being out of stock at the Apple stores: A new version of the iPhone is coming earlier than expected [80% chance], or there are production and manufacturing issues that are preventing Apple from keeping its stores supplied with iPhones [20% chance]," Crum reports.
"American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu concurred with some of Munster's thoughts about Apple gearing up for a 3G iPhone release. He said checks with supply-chain sources suggest that the iPhone will go through a product transition during June and July, which is earlier than his prior forecasts for a 3G release later in the year," Crum reports.
"Wu also said he believes Apple has stepped up the timetable for a 3G iPhone, because 'iPhone inventory levels appear fairly lean, which is consistent with Apple tendency to wind down inventory ahead of an update.' He holds a buy rating on Apple's stock and said that he remains 'confident" the company will reach its goal of selling 10 million iPhones this year,'" Crum reports.
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "Bill C." for the heads up.]


hmmm..channels are drying up and atom just dropped...