iPhone 4 Pre-Order Delays

Between AT&T and Apple, pre-ordering an iPhone 4 was darn near impossible yesterday. I tried several times, but either the qualification didn't work (AT&T's fault) or the Apple.com server timed out (Apple's fault).

Apple did launch an iPhone Apple Store app, which enabled you to pre-order the phone from your iPhone/iPod Touch. Many people found this to be successful, but I was greeted with an app that crashed multiple times when I tried to check eligibility. Also, it couldn't find an Apple store when I entered my Zip code. This app needs some work.  

As it stands now, Apple has had 600,000+ pre-orders. Pretty amazing that they didn't plan for this. It's the first iPhone that is evolving into something more than the previous iteration. Reports from my followers say that they are getting theirs between June 24th and Mid-July.

Apple has stopped taking pre-orders, and when I tried to reserve mine, I was greeted with 'Stop by the Apple Store on launch day - 1st come, 1st serve'. Even though it says clearly, 'Pre-Order'. Oh well, patience is a virtue.

Update on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 8:58AM by jcost

Statement by Apple on iPhone 4 Pre-Orders

CUPERTINO, Calif., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Yesterday Apple and its carrier partners took pre-orders for more than 600,000 of Apple's new iPhone 4. It was the largest number of pre-orders Apple has ever taken in a single day and was far higher than we anticipated, resulting in many order and approval system malfunctions. Many customers were turned away or abandoned the process in frustration. We apologize to everyone who encountered difficulties, and hope that they will try again or visit an Apple or carrier store once the iPhone 4 is in stock.