Keep checking. When I first looked they only had 32GB versions. I checked again and the 16GB ones showed up.

I just bought a black 16GB. Everything went through fine.

Hugely anticipated and closely watched release, and thirty minutes later you're complaining that they're sold out?

Come on.

I knew it was coming and got in early, finding it the most enjoyable Nexus purchase yet -- available in many markets the day it is announced, the Play store didn't crash and functioned speedily, and it will ship in days? I'd say it was a fantastic user experience.

Hugely anticipated only in the tech world...No one else really gives a shit -- as seen by the Nexus 4 sales numbers after more than year (3mil units)

Which would also mean they'd have a smaller initial inventory, no?

That's fascinating, but how is that relevant? Yes, this device was wanted by a lot of people, many of whom were going to storm the gates. Evidenced by the fact that it sold out. If it makes you feel better trying to niche the sales of Nexus devices, good for you, but I see absolutely no point in your comment.

You make it sound like they blew through a massive stock of them because of demand. More than likely they blew through Google's standard, lackluster supply which is hardly surprising. Google's ability to properly sell physical hardware is abysmal

What do you mean by "properly" sell physical hardware? They are a services company, and their interest is in the overall Android ecosystem. If you ask me they are doing a decent job of toeing the line between shipping a good reference implementation and a big Microsoftian middle finger to the OEMs that butter their bread.

I didn't make it sound like anything, beyond that -- relative to a Nexus device -- there is enormous pent up demand for this. The hype has been building for weeks, and the anticipated release has been very, very closely watched. Everyone knew this would be a hugely front-loaded purchase.

If Google does what they traditionally do they will be going through batches, with small delays between. With each batch the estimated delivery time will increase -- managers will meet and get agreements by vendors -- and supplies will reappear.