In the US Apple recently began taking pre-orders for the latest version of the iPhone, which was officially unveiled earlier this month. But things didn’t go to plan, with approval system malfunctions plaguing the process.

The good news for Apple is that more than half a million pre-orders went through. The bad new was that there could have been so much more if systems had worked like they're supposed to do.

A statement by Apple on iPhone 4 pre-orders read, “Yesterday Apple and its carrier partners took pre-orders for more than 600,000 of Apple’s new iPhone 4. It was the largest number of pre-orders Apple has ever taken in a single day and was far higher than we anticipated, resulting in many order and approval system malfunctions.

“Many customers were turned away or abandoned the process in frustration. We apologise 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.”

Let’s hope New Zealand customers don’t suffer the same experience when it becomes out turn. You can read up on what the iPhone 4 does that the 3GS doesn't here.