According to AppleInsider, Apple is once again leading the way for a worldwide NAND Flash memory shortage… again:
“Taiwan-based memory module houses are moving to diversify their NAND flash suppliers to minimize procurement risk, according to industry sources,” the report said. “NAND flash supply has reportedly become tighter as major chip producers Samsung Electronics, Toshiba, Micron and Hynix Semiconductor favor demand for Apple devices.”
With the release of the iPhone 3GS, new iPod Nano/Touch, and the iTablet device rumored to be released sometime in the first half of 2010 – it’s no wonder this current shortage exists. One thing is for sure, the chip producers bend over backwards to make sure Apple gets all of the memory they need — even if it means less for other companies.
We are all aware that WWDC is only one week away. If history is any indication of what is to come, that means we should be introduced to the next-generation of Apple’s iPhone and if we follow previous patterns, we should start seeing the iPhone 3G supply starting to run thin on all levels.
AppleInsider is now reporting that Best Buy headquarters has sent out a memo to all of it’s stores saying to expect little to nothing in terms of iPhone 3G supply for the next few weeks. Last year we saw similar shortages but they occurred a few months prior to WWDC, April to be exact.
So, after all the previous rumors covering Austria to Australia, Canada and back what do you readers think? Ready to pick yourself up a new iPhone? Sound off in the comments!
Sounded like a great idea, dinnit? Put up a website where your customers could upgrade to the brand-spanking-new iPhone 3G kit, right? Digg effect, meet iPwnage (no, not the hack, the tidal-wave of traffic Apple’s little gadget brings with it). It’ll Steve your website right quick — especially when you offer to hand deliver them on launch day!
Says O2:
“We had invested heavily to add a huge amount of additional capacity, 250 times its normal rate, and back-up systems. We tested this carefully in advance. The massive simultaneous crush exceeded even our worst case assumptions. Demand was at 13,000 orders per second. Frankly, we have to admit we just weren’t prepared for this unprecedented level of demand. No Web site is.”
Yeah. Just be happy you don’t host a Stevenote stream. Traffic aside, though, 13,000 orders per second is staggering, and O2 admits Apple can’t meet that demand during a 22 country simultaneous launch. In fact, supplies look tight for the next few week, and nary an iPhone White in sight!
Our sympathies for our United Kingdom friends. If any of you mange to nab an iPhone 3G, please let us know!
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Multiple web sources are now reporting that multiple Apple stores are now out of stock on the iPhone, both 8GB and 16GB models. We touched on the New York shortage briefly last weekend, but this shortage seems far more widespread, with little or no news on when stocks will be back at normal levels.
Though the Apple online store lists availability at 5-7 days (long enough for a container ship to hit US shores?), AT&T retail still appears to have stock aplenty on hand.
Have you had any trouble getting a Jobs phone lately? Or do you see boxes piled high round your parts? Is this a sign of poor supply chain management (atypical of Apple), or is 3G on its way? What do you think?
