Scalpers reportedly use AI bots to grab iPhone Duo pickup stock

Scalpers and other buyers are reportedly using AI-powered bots to watch Apple’s website and claim newly available iPhone Duo inventory for in-store pickup within seconds. Gizmodo’s Mike Pearl reports the claim, citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

The pickup stock was only part of the release-weekend supply. According to Gurman as relayed by Gizmodo, Apple put 80% of its available Duos on store shelves and set aside 20% for shipments and in-store pickup. Gurman put the release-weekend supply at 50 to 250 units per store.

Gizmodo also recounts Bloomberg reporting that Apple distributed the phones to stores in October rather than waiting until November, concentrating supply in the U.S. and China. The reported allocation and per-store figures describe the release weekend, not current inventory.