Saw this posted on another site

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5019&Itemid=2

that would match the time frame, but really I don't see a way to confirm or deny it. I think we're just going to have to settle with the idea that there were shortages, for some reason, and now there aren't. That being said this site is nothing if not for speculation so please continue ^^

haha i think they realized why the Wii sold a lot--because it was always sold out, meaning word of mouth. I mean, come on, three years into ur lifetime and all of a sudden ur having supply issues? wtf! haha I'd understand if this happened around halo 3 or GTA or something but come on. I love my 360 but still..... M$ makes me wonder sometimes....

 Interesting, but if Microsoft had so much warning of one manufacturer cutting out, why couldn't they find another?

 MS should have had Sony build the 360s.  Failure rate would be <1% rather than 16%(+).