Many fans were ecstatic when a white version of the iPhone 4 appeared briefly in the Apple Store but expressed disappointment when Apple confirmed Wednesday that the long-awaited white iPhone 4 wouldn't be available until the spring of 2011.

“We’re sorry to disappoint customers waiting for the white iPhone yet again, but we’ve decided to delay its release until this spring,” said Apple spokeswoman Trudy Miller.

Apple had previously stated that the white iPhone 4 would “not be available until later this year.”