apple_logoAccording to the availability tool, which is available on Apple’s website in times of scarcity, was last seen in the summer of 2008, can you people imagine that whenever the demand for the iPhone 3G was heavy and supply was really short.

We again saw it on Friday, only 29 of Apple’s 257 stores were displaying shortages of any iPhones. There were red “sold out” lights for selected 3GS models in all but six states. Kentucky’s store in Louisville, was completely out of stock.

This year’s model of the widget is considerably more accurate than the original. Last year, availability numbers were updated at the end of each business day. According to IFOAppleStore, the page is linked directly to Apple’s internal point-of-sale computers, allowing hourly updates for each store.

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The shortages are all over the lot, but Apple is particularly facing the hard time meeting demand for the entry-level white iPhone 3GS. It is not yet clear whether demand for that model is unusually high or if Apple just isn’t making enough of them.

You can check out the availability in the Apple Store. AT&T has had 3GS supply problems from Day 1, but the widget doesn’t cover their stores. According to Apple, the older 8GB iPhone 3G is available in all its stores.