Apple finally commented about the iPhone shortage, all but confirming that it is a problem, not a new product introduction. Saul Hansell of the New York Times:

Steve Dowling from Apple called… “We are working to replenish iPhone supplies as quickly as we can,” he said to me reading the same statement he offered to others. “Our stores continue to receive shipments almost every day.”

Meanwhile, an extremely articulate commenter calling him- or herself “Tantrum” argued at the end of Saul’s piece that the reason for the shortage is that Apple simply can’t keep pace with the extraordinary demand for the iPhone overseas, especially in emerging markets. In Tantrum’s opinion, international buyers and a grey market developed by “organized exporters” are scarfing up all extra iPhones put on sale in the US.

Apple Confirms iPhone Shortage