Apple’s newest iPhone has sold briskly today as thousands lined up outside stores around the world to be among the first to own the device, amid concerns of supply shortages. The iPhone 4’s launch began in Japan and sold out by early afternoon at the flagship store of Softbank, Apple’s exclusive wireless carrier there. The launch moved across France, Germany and the U.K. before commencing at 7 a.m. in each time zone in the U.S. Some stores abroad had midnight openings.
More than with past launches, there were worries about limited supplies after more than 600,000 people rushed to pre-order the fourth-generation iPhones on the first day they were available, prompting Apple and its exclusive wireless partner in the U.S., AT&T Inc., to stop taking orders for shipment by today’s launch. On Apple’s website, new orders weren’t promised for delivery until July 14.
Those who didn’t place an iPhone 4 order had to line up outside Apple stores today in the hopes of snagging one on a first-come, first-served basis. In Baton Rouge, crowds started gathering before dawn at the Mall of Louisiana Apple store and at AT&T stores. At the AT&T store in Towne Center, those who lined up encountered a sign saying the phones wouldn’t be arriving until Tuesday.
The new iPhone model is thinner than previous models, with a better-resolution screen and longer battery life. It features a new operating system that can also be installed on some older models, such as the 3GS, along with cameras on both sides to permit face-to-face video calls.
