Apple’s new iPhone 5 is facing supply challenges, with shipping times via Apple’s website continuing to sit at 3-4 weeks, and stock reportedly scarce in-store as well. That’s because of challenges in the assembly process, according to a new report by the Wall Street Journal which cites an unnamed Foxconn executive as its source.

The executive in question told the WSJ that while the iPhone 5 is “the most difficult device that Foxconn has ever assembled,” the company has been improving its process and overall, production rates are improving daily. Steps to ensure devices don’t ship out with scratches have been taken, another added challenge, but still productivity has been improving. New hiring is helping drive improvements in production capacity, and the executive claimed that while disputes reported on in its Zhengzhou facility did indeed have to do with “quality issues,” they didn’t actually result in work on iPhones being halted.

Apple’s iPhone 5 launched September 21, and since that time, it’s been hard to get a hold of. But it’s worth noting that the iPhone 4S took until January to see shipping times improve to 3 to 5 business days from earlier estimates of 1 to 3 weeks. Likewise, the iPhone 4, which launched in June of 2010, only improved to a 5 to 7 business day anticipated ship time in October of that year, so while the iPhone 5 may be in short supply, this isn’t the first time.

Assembly and supply choke points are likely still the primary limiting factor on iPhone 5 sales in the U.S. and abroad. Apple’s earnings call on October 25 might shed some light on how it’s been selling so far, however, and the extent to which those constraints are limiting sales, but watching for improved shipping estimates will likely be the best indicator of progress in this particular area.

Article courtesy of TechCrunch

Back in March, we first exposed Disco, a group messaging app that the Slide team within Google had built. And that’s not all they’ve been working on. Say hello to Pool Party, another secret project by the same team within Google.

We don’t know much about Pool Party other than it’s a photo-sharing app that the Slide team has built. The emphasis is said to be on creating group albums (“pools”) that show new photos in real time.

The app is currently in invite-only beta testing. And Google was able to secure the poolpartyapp.com domain for it — not quite as sexy as disco.com, but it will do.

What’s perhaps most interesting about this is that Slide is building these new apps within Google while other teams at Google work on similar projects. For example, Google+ features both a group messaging component (Huddle) and a mobile photo sharing component (Instant Upload). When I asked the Google+ leads, Vic Gundotra and Bradley Horowitz, why they weren’t just using Disco inside of Google+, they both said they had no idea what I was talking about — while smiling.

It’s believed that Slide is allowed to work autonomously on their own projects within Google, and both of these apps appear to be very much proof of that. The question is if and when Google will use its own clout to promote these things. Disco is already on version 2 with no Google promotion yet.

Sadly, unlike Facebook’s secret photos app, we were only able to secure two photos of Pool Party. Enjoy.

Update: A Brodie Duncan notes on Twitter, look what’s in the Android Market already — with 0 installs! It’s not clear if you’ll be able to use Pool Party this way since it’s in private beta, but get downloading!

Update 2: And look at that, it’s in the App Store as well! We previously believed it would be Android-only, but clearly that’s not the case.

Article courtesy of TechCrunch

Earlier today, we noted that Amazon unveiled a new way to give people Kindle books as gifts. They’re also launching the same functionality for their Music Store as well, with MP3 Gifting.

To be honest, it’s a little surprising that Amazon didn’t have this feature before. But it comes with a nice little bonus that only someone like Amazon can offer: if you receive an MP3 as a gift and decide you don’t want it, you can instead opt for an Amazon credit for the same amount, which you can use towards any product they offer.

Just as with the Kindle book gifting feature, you simply have to enter a recipients email address, add a message, and choose the MP3(s) you want them to receive. Then you pay for it, and you’re done. They’ll get a message that an MP3 gift is waiting for them and a link to download it.

Amazon says the process takes less than 5 minutes. And because Amazon’s MP3s are DRM-free, they’ll work anywhere.

Article courtesy of TechCrunch

We’re releasing our final batch of 100 tickets now to our July 30 summer party at August Capital.

Before that party we’re also hosting an all day event – the Social Currency CrunchUp. You can see the full agenda here. Ron Conway and Paul Graham kick off the morning, and then lots of great product discussions will follow. We’ve also lined up a half dozen different local retailers to share their own experiences using social currency in the wild. Combo tickets for the conference and the party are here.

Here’s a sneak preview of this year’s artwork for attendees generously provided by Hugh Macleod, the artist known as Gaping Void. We have lots of other great surprises in store as well. SecondMarket is hosting margaritas. PlacePop is organizing our photowall. Pandora will be spinning tunes, also our 5th year running. We’re live streaming the day with Ustream. Zong and Payvment have exhibits and treats to share with you. Engrave your phone with Coveroo. Thanks also to Adobe and Katalyst Media, Cannonball wine, Eventbrite, DesignAboutTown and BuildASign for support.

There’s still time to grab a table, host beer or run a game. Contact Heather Harde or Jeanne Logozzo for sponsorships.

See who’s going to the Social Currency CrunchUp and August Capital party via Plancast as well.

Contact Laura Boychenko to request a press pass.

Article courtesy of TechCrunch