EFN

AT&T Inc., the exclusive U.S. provider of Apple Inc.’s iPhone, has mysteriously halted sales to those who put in a New York City residential zip-code.

The company has only released a very vague statement about how they are planning on modifying their, promotions and distribution “channels”. In the wake of a mad dash for holiday gifts, after money and gift certificates are being redeemed and spent to make large purchases, this will hinder quite a few buyers who would otherwise be purchasing an iPhone from the more-convenient online store.

“We periodically modify our promotions and distribution channels,” spokesman Fletcher Cook said in an e-mail. He declined to explain further.

Others have suggested the possibilities of credit-card crime, and that the hold on online sales in NYC is a security measure to curb fraud through online purchases. This would make some sense, as the iPhone can still be bought in physical stores.

This could lead to several customers who wanted the device in the Big Apple having to go into the store to purchase the product in-person, and while the convenience and expedience of online buying is forsaken in light of this news, the people who really wanted to get the iPhone will no doubt get their hands on the product. However, impatient online shoppers may be forced to turn to the iPhone’s competitor, Google Android, in frustration.