System Crashes After 600,000 iPhone 4 Preorders

Apple posted an apology on its Website for what it described as "many order and approval system malfunctions," although demand for the iPhone 4 has pushed the ship date for pre-orders until July 14.

Apple became a victim of its own success June 15, when an unexpected 600,000 pre-orders for its iPhone 4 managed to crash both its and AT&T's ordering systems. AT&T continues to be the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the United States.

Apple and AT&T found themselves hit by unexpected demand for the iPhone 4, which promptly sold 600,000 units after going on pre-order June 15. That effectively crashed both companies' ordering systems; reports circulated of AT&T employees were forced to jot customers' details on paper after store computers melted down, and visitors to both AT&T's and Apple's Websites encountered error messages.

The iPhone 4 represents Apple's latest attempt to hold back the rising challenge presented by Google Android smartphones.

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