Apple Online Store Shipping Estimates Rise - New Products En Route And iPhone 4 No More?

The shipping estimates for many products in the Apple Online Store rose more or less surprisingly today. The products affected include the iPhone 4, iPad 2 and several Mac products (which are not due to be refreshed for some time). Ahead of the launch of a new product, Apple usually tightens its supplies as the remaining current generation units are shipped. The company is indeed expected to launch a new iPhone handset in the coming weeks, which explains that slow down. Though, this does not serve to explain why the shipping estimates for various Mac products (some of which were refreshed only a couple of months ago) have also increased. Indeed, Apple's iPad 2 - which was launched earlier this year, and is not due to be refreshed until March or April next year - is now shipping in "2-3 weeks," as you can see in the above screenshot. As originally reported by MacRumors, here's a list of shipping times for the U.S. Apple Online Store:

• iPhone 4: 1-3 business days
• iPad 2: 2-3 weeks
• iPod touch: 3-5 days (8 GB and 32 GB), 1-3 days (64 GB)
• iPod nano: 3-5 days
• iPod shuffle: 1-2 weeks
• iPod classic: 1-3 days
• Apple TV: 3-5 days
• MacBook Air: 3-5 days
• MacBook Pro: 3-5 days for all models except low-end 13-inch, which remains at 24 hours
• iMac: 3-5 days
• Mac Pro: 3-5 days for all models except 12-core, which is at 2-4 days

Without a doubt, if you're planning on purchasing an iPad 2 in the near future, avoid using the Apple Online Store - because it'll take some time to reach you. (For example, Best Buy is shipping the iPad 2 within one business day.) Further, what's very surprising is that Apple usually continues to sell the older generation iPhone as the low-end model, in this case the iPhone 4. If Apple is indeed reducing that strongly its supply of iPhones 4, that might suggest they will no longer be offering it along the iPhone 5. Of course, we don't know that for sure, but it does give some more credit to rumors that Apple will be launching a different device than the current iPhone 4 as the low-end model. We'll be sure to let you know if we find out any more, or if the shipping estimates in the Apple Online Store decrease. In the meantime, help us explain this in the comments!

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