Nexus 4 shortages down to LG, says Google UK chief

Google have apologised for the stock shortages and delivery delays buyers of their Nexus 4 smartphone have experienced.

Responding to irate consumers on the hunt for a Nexus 4 (who hijacked a post on Google’s Zeitgeist 2012 list in order to voice their protests), Google have called the situation “unacceptable”, pointing the finger of blame at manufacturing partners LG.

“I know that what you are going through is unacceptable and we are all working through the nights and weekends to resolve this issue,” said Dan Cobley, managing director of Google UK & Ireland, through Google +.

“Supplies from the manufacturer are scarce, and our communication has been flawed. I can offer an unreserved apology for our service and communication failures in this process.”

Demand for the Nexus 4 seems to have overwhelmed Google. Customers who have been told to expect a 3-5 day shipping wait have in some cases had to wait weeks, or are still waiting for their handset to arrive – a particularly nail-biting experience if it’s intended as a Christmas gift, this late in December. The low price of the top-tier handset saw initial stock sell out in minutes, with even the second wave of stock selling out quickly.

The handset is available tied to a network through a number of carriers, but doesn’t benefit from the same heavily subsidised price that is offered through the Google Play store.

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Google Nexus 4 Android smartphone by LG