Nexus 4 shortage? It's LG's fault, Google exec says

Google's Nexus 4 has been out of stock since shortly after it went on sale last month, and now one company executive is pinning the blame on the phone's supplier.

Addressing a barrage of questions about the Nexus 4 via Google+, the company's managing director for the U.K. and Ireland, Dan Cobley, served up an apology and an explanation.

"Dear all, I know that what you are going through is unacceptable, and we are all working through the nights and weekends to resolve this issue," Cobley wrote. "Supplies from the manufacturer are scarce and erratic, and our communication has been flawed. I can offer an unreserved apology for our service and communication failures in this process."

Cobley provided some hope for eager Nexus 4 buyers, saying that he was optimistic there would be good news to share shortly. But he hesitated on making a firm commitment for now.

"I realize that the people who ordered the Nexus 4 so early are among our most committed and loyal users, and we are doing all we can to put things right," he added.

Cobley did go onto explain that orders are now in the process of being fulfilled for people who originally received a shipping estimate of three to five days. Those buyers will receive a credit for the cost of shipping. Orders are expected to be processed this week for people who were initially given pre-Christmas shipping estimates.

Released in mid-November, the Nexus 4 sold out in less than half an hour.

The 8GB version of the phone was briefly back in stock earlier this month but sold out in less than a day.

Andy Coughlin, the head of mobile at LG UK, told CNET last week that the phone "had proven extremely popular, and as such retailers have been met with huge demand."

A Google spokesman told CNET that the company is not commenting beyond the Google+ post. CNET also contacted LG for comment and will update the story if we receive any information.

Updated 9:30 a.m. PT with response from Google.