“iPhone is out of stock across Apple,” Andy Space writes for 9 to 5 Mac.
Space writes, “It makes sense that with a new model iPhone on the way, Apple is clearing its supply chain to make way for the device. But its a deeper strategy. I suspect (personal opinion, speculation, alert) Apple management have deliberately decided to make the device more or less unavailable in the weeks preceeding the release of the new model.”
This makes sense for two reasons:
1. Stimulate demand
2. Keep customers happy
Space writes, “I think the current lack of availability is deliberately designed to minimize complaints and maximize demand.”
Full article here.
How much is this idiot getting paid to right this BS?
Yet another asshat in the sea of clueless writers on Apple.
I was at my local Apple store last night and the three people in front of me asked all bought 4 Iphones a piece. Amazing.
It would make a lot of sense. Otherwise, you’d get people who bought one a week before coming back wanted to exchange it for a new one. Simple, effective. Take the hit now by not selling any for a month rather than have the hassle of trying to unload “old” iPhones.
That’s the same thing as asking, did Bush plan the gasoline prices to go up to record levels?
I doubt any company plans to run out of products and not sell any. I could be wrong, as you never know with Apple lol.
Wow, Andy Space-Cadet is a real genius! That’s almost on par with “eating nutritious food is a good thing”. Ericdano hit the nail on the head. It’s rather easy to see when you’re as smart as Andy Space-Cadet.
Did Apple plan current shortage, subprimes, war in Iraq, Vista’s mess, Bill Gates’ retirement, etc.?
@aware, and they are going to put them up on ebay as soon as they step foot into their house.
@ericdano, ever think about when they update their laptops? or desktops? thats kinda screwin people too…My friend bought the new iMac, then a week later the new one was out.What do they do with the older model computers? I’m sure they dont run out of stock on them.
With the iphone being as big of a deal as it is, it somewhat makes sense to stop making the old one. That gives them more time to produce more of the new one. Places were selling out when they came out so im sure they are going to stock up on more than the first time around. Then we can watch all other cell phone companies standing with a blank face, as they see the iphone market share rise even higher. I wouldn’t doubt that within another year they will be bigger than RIM. Only took them a year to get to 28% now with even more capability from the sdk and 3G…. good luck to you phone makers out there.
Of course they planned it… Didn’t this guy answer his own question?
Captain Obvious has spoken
Again, I think complaints are the least of Apple’s worries. I think they can either produce both iPhones or they can put their focus and ramp up production of the new version 2 iPhone in order to have an international release. Can anyone image the volume of production for an international release while at the same time keeping everything secret. That to me is simply amazing. Keeping a lid on it is nearly impossible, and they have done it. To date, noone really knows ANYTHING!!!
Steve plans absolutely everything. And I think they’re doing an excellent job with the way the sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
Plan Bill Gate’s retirement? Maybe not, but they’ve had a hand in it! Bill saw the writing on the wall several years ago, and he decided to bail out early enough that Ballmer would have to take the heat for Microsoft’s upcoming troubles.
Bill was the first rat to leave the ship.
@D
“How much is this idiot getting paid to RIGHT this BS?”
Calling someone else an idiot whilst demonstrating your own sub-intelligence at the same time – brilliant!
No, Disney did. Er wait… Dell did… Um, no wait, Coca Cola did….
Hopefully they planned a universal landscape keyboard for iPhone 2.0 as well.
Has anyone ever considered that they may well keep the current model on the market for a while with a lower price…
I’m tired of people feeling like they are entitled to some type of refund or compensation if a product that they purchased is replaced by a newer/faster/better/cheaper version. That’s life.
This guy is attempting to apply the old adage ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder’ to his speculation regarding an intentional Apple marketing strategy for the next generation iPhone? Well, OK….I guess. I wish that I could get paid to idly speculate with little or no fear of being held accountable. Just fill up the space with words for today and try again tomorrow…
I kinda figured it is easier to not cell iphones for 30 days than to have iphone returns because they fall in the “return for any reason” window. Why go through the hassle and trouble?
We prolly can bet the current iphone will be discontinued making room for only a gen2 device. There had been speculation that this generation might stick around for a cheaper price point. Doesn’t seem likely at this point.
While the lack of iPhones does seem to be having the described effect, you do not plan this way with millions in inventory. I expect they just wanted to be sure they would sell out of the old models prior to introduction of the new one and underestimated demand. It would be hard to know people would keep buying the old model with new ones announced. This does not follow the Osborne rule. (Osborne Computer announce a new model and went out of business with massive inventory to build the old one and no cash.)
There’s no way they are keeping the first generation around at a cheaper price. That thing is gone…
@ Steve516
If they planned to keep selling the old model wouldn’t still be building them and selling them now?
iPhone v. 1, now an iconic antique?
(It hasn’t even been a year yet Madge.)
Hello, eBay? (^_^)
This is being overthinked. You don’t just pick up the phone and say I need a 10,000 more iPhones to bridge a 30 day supply gap (the unit cost would be astronomical and the vendors couldn’t respond that quickly). Apple ordered ‘X’ amount to be manufactured some time ago and they sold them all. The guy that estimated the mfg. need actually did an amazing job hitting it within 4 weeks. That said I’m sure they had some options on higher (and lower) production quantities they chose not to act on.