Where's iPhone?
I have received several messages from readers stating that their local Apple stores have run out of iPhones. More concerning than simply being out of iPhones is the fact that the retail staff do not know when their stock will be replenished. The search for available iPhones is beginning to look like a page out of a Where's Waldo book. Can you spot the iPhone in this picture?
The most popular and logical explanation for the shortage is the release of a 3G iPhone. Assuming this is the case, the only point of discussion is timing. Apple has run out of product too quickly prior to the release of the next model. This was either a mistake or a move to ensure they aren't stuck holding previous generation devices.
Many of the blogs I read (see the 'Pages We Enjoy' section to the right) are expecting the release of the next generation iPhone will occur during or shortly after the WWDC. The timing would match perfectly with the iPhone 2.0 software update. What else will Steve Jobs announce during the keynote? My guess is that it will go something like this:
- We are very excited to see a jump in registered developers.
- The final version of the iPhone SDK will be available.
- Officially announce that the iPhone will be available in a lot more countries soon.
- New iPhone model with 3G. Maybe with GPS, more memory, and a slightly different design.
- Get developers excited about easily distributing their applications with a demo of the App Store.
- Show off other new applications and improvements that appear in 2.0.
- One more thing... Mac development. It is about time they get us thinking about the next OS X release.
What do you think? Will Apple restock their stores with the existing model? Will the 3G iPhone be released this summer?
WWDC would be a perfect time to release the next model with 3G. What about the FCC filings? No sign of those yet?
If it wasn't for the FCC documents I would think the new iphone would be out before WWCD. 3G is a big deal for some people but is a fairly minor update when you think about all the other features in the phone. The 2.0 software is a bigger deal.
Sworik: You are right 2.0 is a bigger than an iPhone with 3G. More speed is great and all, but it doesn't really do anything better than the phone we have today (except for streaming video maybe). Now, throw in more memory, GPS and a better camera and that would be a different story.
Robert: I used your GrandCentral page to send you a message the other day asking why you don't write as much as you did before. Oh well, I will keep you setup in my RSS reader anyway. Thanks.
We will know soon enough. This better be good if Apple hopes to compete with Android.
I guess we know what is going on with the iPhone supply now. Funny thing is that Apple had released a statement when they were starting to run out that made it sound like they just didn't plan for the demand. I think they just couldn't get the iPhone 2.0 software and hardware ready fast enough.