Filed under: Retail, Apple, iPhone
Get iPhone availability updates every 15 minutes
Can't find an iPhone 3G? Well, TopMuffin has created a site that checks Apple's store inventory every 15 minutes. According to the site, Apple updates the inventory throughout the day. TopMuffin's site parses the feed (feed link) and shows iPhone 3G availability by Apple Store. TopMuffin doesn't just post availability info, they also do some statistics to find the percent available. When we checked the page, Apple had 45% availability for 8GB black iPhones, 53% availability for 16GB black iPhones, and 41% availability for 16GB white iPhones.
This site does not list availability for AT&T stores, and only lists stores located in the U.S. A disclaimer is posted on the page lets viewers know that the best way to check iPhone availability is to call your local store. You can view the site by clicking the read link.
[via Daring Fireball]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
DistortedLoop said 10:34AM on 7-26-2008
Hmmm, the other day the site had a message that Apple had shut him out by monkeying with the feed he uses. Glad to see it's back up for those who're still trying to get one.
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KeynoteKen said 10:39PM on 7-26-2008
I think there may be some inside pranksters messing with the JSON file and Apple now uses some other method. :)
MfS said 10:37AM on 7-26-2008
This site is an epic FAIL. A friend of mine in TN was watching this page, and when the store closest to him had all green checkmarks, he flew down there early, only to get laughed at when asking for a 3G iPhone.
Same is true of an Apple Store in IL. Friday morning a store said it had the 16GB white model in stock; only to call over there and find out "Sorry, we're out...not sure where you got the impression we had any. Try back tomorrow morning."
IMHO, this page is nearly pointless. Maybe these 2 stores are the exception, but I'd be very wary of making a journey out to an Apple Store just because there's a green check mark next to the store closest to you. "Phone first." Chances are that page is dead wrong.
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Adam said 10:59AM on 7-26-2008
Obviously you didn't read the part where it says "I strongly advise calling your local Apple store to check inventory before visiting said store."....before wasting your gas.
totoro said 11:37AM on 7-26-2008
I'm assuming you are referring to Apple's site-since basically TopMuffin is using Apple's data and presenting it in a much easier format to tell at a glance how the country is doing in terms of stock. If you have a problem with the accuracy-I'm pretty sure that is Apple's issue.
As far as the AT&T supply goes-that is simple: They have none, and seem to be handling everything on an order only basis.
MfS said 11:07AM on 7-26-2008
Thankfully, it wasn't me that wasted gas...though my friend missed reading that part on that page.
Actually, that "disclaimer" pretty much negates the usefulness of the update page in the first place.
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Brian said 11:48AM on 7-26-2008
Now if somebody just had a way to monitor how long the line is in the NYC apple stores, I would go get one.
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Op said 2:49PM on 7-26-2008
Someone needs to setup a webcam outside the Apple stores. I've been walking past the 5th ave store everyday this past week and every time there was a long line outside.
Boris Ioffe said 12:08PM on 7-26-2008
i was looking at availability page from short hills store. It was showing all 3 green checks, there were no iphones in the store.
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badjoke said 12:20PM on 7-26-2008
I really wish they had this feature for AT&T stores since I need to buy there because my account has a business discount that Apple can't handle.
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leogong08 said 1:24PM on 7-26-2008
AT&T stores aren't selling any more iPhone to walk-in customers. All stock is going straight to those who pre-ordered I believe.
badjoke said 2:50PM on 7-26-2008
Two of my friends jut walked in last week and got theirs.
Josh said 6:08PM on 7-26-2008
Just call 611 on your existing phone. Ask them to remove the FAN number on the account. Discount gone. Now go to an Apple store and get your iPhone. After you setup your new phone just go to an AT&T store or go to the website page your company uses to apply the discount and re-apply it. Worst case you lose the discount for one billing cycle.
leogong08 said 1:23PM on 7-26-2008
This site has been around for a while... Covered by Daring Fireball around 2 days ago.. iphoneinformer.org has had it as well. Come on Tuaw!
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(01) said 1:38PM on 7-26-2008
It's says I'm holding one in my hand...Apparently it works!
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Tahir said 1:55PM on 7-26-2008
Is iPhone availability still an issue. Here in the SF Bay Area, almost every store has plenty of iPhones, and after the first day, none has run out of iPhones.
QuestionMania.Wordpress.com
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MacBooker said 2:05PM on 7-26-2008
Uh, really? That would be news to several friends here in SF, who have been turned away twice in the last couple weeks from the flagship store on Market. Where are you getting this "plenty of iPhones" news from? I'm sure they would love to know.
Andrew Watts said 2:18PM on 7-26-2008
I put a similar site together, providing a historical perspective. I took it down thursday after null values started showing up in the data, and apple continues to put null values in the data for hours at a time.
But I think it is interesting to look at the data so I put the page back up this morning, but by no means consider it realtime.
And you should always call the store for availability and not rely on web pages.
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Jash Sayani said 3:21PM on 7-26-2008
Apple should have known that there would be mass buying as it was sold for 199$. They need to learn Supply and Demand.
However, I didn't like their Hype much.....
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ranova said 3:25PM on 7-26-2008
ever heard of the wii? Mass demand with low supply works.