Apple Admits It Can’t Produce Enough Of The iPhone 3GS

Demand for the new Apple 3GS is outstripping supply, Apple has admitted, but it's still planning to launch the device in 20 more countries next month.

Apple has come out and said it can’t keep up with the demand for the new iPhone 3GS, but it’s ramping up production, and still planning to have the handset in 20 new countries next month.

Company COO Tim Cook told the BBC:

"The demand has been staggering almost in every country that we’ve shipped in."

Apple sold 5.2 million iPhones in the second quarter, which is a staggering seven times the amount for the same quarter in 2008.

In a conference call about quarterly earnings, company chief financial officer Peter Oppenhaimer said:

"We are currently unable to make enough iPhone 3GSs to meet robust demand, and we’re working to address this," but noted that increased production was on schedule to meet demand when the handset launches in some many new markets.

"We are confident enough in the production ramp that we will be launching about 20 additional countries on 22 August – which would bring our total to over 40 – and we still expect to be selling the iPhone in over 70 countries later this calendar year."