Apple says white iPhone on track for spring release

SAN FRANCISCO (NewsCore) - Customers who have waited nearly 10 months for the white version of the iPhone 4 won't have to wait much longer.

Apple said Thursday that delays keeping the white iPhone from store shelves have nearly ended and that the device is on track for its spring release, reiterating the projection that the company made in October.

The smartphone clad in white originally debuted on stage last June, in the hands of Apple CEO Steve Jobs as he showed off the company's latest gadget. But when Apple began taking pre-orders for the device, only the black version was available.

At the time, Apple said the white iPhone was "more challenging to manufacture than expected," and would have to delay its release. Since then, Apple has officially held back the device's debut two more times, apologizing to disappointed customers who had been eagerly awaiting its arrival.

Color-related delays have not been the only sore spot with this iPhone release. Almost immediately after the iPhone 4 went on sale last June, customers began to complain about reception problems stemming from the device's unusual design that placed the antenna on the outside casing of the device. The complaints grew to a fever pitch, culminating in a hastily called press conference during which Jobs offered to give out free cases to solve the problem.

Despite all of this, the iPhone has been a hit with consumers. Apple sold roughly 16.2 million iPhones in its holiday quarter, an 86 percent jump over the same time a year prior.

Analysts have said the white iPhone will likely spur additional demand, which may help the company power through the summer quarter, during which speculation has risen that the next-generation iPhone may not make its annual debut.

Apple has said it will not comment on its future plans, but a recent announcement for its yearly developer conference in June emphasized planned announcements about the company's software offerings instead of any new hardware.

In the meantime, Apple declined to comment about which carrier would initially carry the white iPhone.

Apple shares recently traded down one percent at $332.87.

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