AT&T Delays iPhone 4 Retail Sale Date

AT&T, which had to stop taking iPhone 4 orders last week due to high demand, says the Apple smartphone will be available in the carrier's stores starting June 29.

AT&T also said Tuesday that it would start this week notifying people who preordered the latest version of the iPhone. People who ordered the smartphone online would be notified by email when their order has shipped. People who preordered the device at AT&T stores would receive telephone calls from the carrier's representatives when the buyer's iPhone arrives.

On June 29, AT&T will offer the iPhone 4 on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. If inventory sells out, AT&T will offer customers the option of buying the device and having it delivered to a home or business or an AT&T store. Customers will receive an email when their order is available.

AT&T halted sales of the iPhone 4 June 16, one day after the smartphone became available for preorders. The carrier was forced to suspend taking orders because it was unable to keep up with demand.

AT&T wasn't alone in suspending sales. Apple moved back the date on which customers who ordered the device can expect to receive one. The company originally planned to ship preordered phones June 24, and then moved the date back to July 2. IPhone 4s ordered as of Tuesday were not scheduled to ship until July 14.

While the delays are an inconvenience to iPhone fans, they're also a sign that Apple may have another big hit. The iPhone follows on the heels of the iPad, a tablet-style computer Apple started selling in April. As of Monday, Apple had sold 3 million iPads, according to the company.

The iPhone 4 features a number of improvements over its predecessor, the iPhone 3GS. The enhancements include higher screen resolution, a front-facing camera for video chats and a longer lasting battery. The device is also 24% thinner.