Apple and its carries partner AT&T today admitted that they cannot cover the high demand for the new iPhone 4 devices, suspending sales of the device before its June 24 debut.

AT&T and Apple started accepting orders for the phone yesterday, with AT&T selling out all the preorders allocated for the device?s debut day. Apple and AT&T said that they had taken pre-orders for more than 600,000 of Apple?s new iPhone 4. Apple said that it was the largest number of pre-orders Apple has ever taken in a single day and was far higher than the company anticipated, resulting in many order and approval system malfunctions. Many Apple's customers were turned away or abandoned the process in frustration.

"We apologize to everyone who encountered difficulties, and hope that they will try again or visit an Apple or carrier store once the iPhone 4 is in stock," Apple said.

AT&T will withhold orders for the phone indefinitely, depending on how soon it can replenish inventory.