iMac? What iMac?
Apple's gone run out of iMacs, and the new models waiting in the wings aren't ready.
[Source: Apple]
Something obviously went horribly, horribly wrong somewhere for there to be a gap in the channel for over two months. Ouch. That's a long time for any company to go without one of their major product lines.
But read the text in the picture above carefully. The tone is sheepish and apologetic. This is not how Apple usually communicates with its customers, to say the least. Is this a sign of a kindler, gentler Apple, or just the last words of some hapless product manager as he or she clears out their desk after an epic asschewing from Steve?
Now, Apple's run out of product in the channel before--and are right now doling out iPod Minis like Mr. Burns handing out Halloween candy--but the modus operandi for Apple is to run out of product and then not say anything. "Shortage? What shortage? Oh, that shortage. There's no shortage."
Bearing that in mind, if I were a gambling man, I would bet good money that no more than a handful of new iMacs will actually ship in September. They'll be announced, all right, but you won't be able to get one.
It would be nice if this preemptive openness was the first glimpse of a more open and customer-oriented Apple, wouldn't it? Hey, a nerd can dream.
Listening To: "Hyper Hyper" by Scooter 
