I almost bought an iphone last year.  But the cost of breaking my contract with sprint, and the thought of a faster, better, iphone a year later managed to keep me from pulling my instant gratification card out and just buying one.  This year is different.  I let my Sprint contract expire.  As you saw from the previous post my attempts to get att support to be helpful have failed miserably.  But, in the morning I will be heading out to a local att store to pick up a phone.  Rumor has it that each store will  have 40 8gb and 40 16gb iphones with more to arrive mid-day.  Apple stores supposedly have 300 or so and more to be delivered tomorrow as well.  In Austin, I’ve been by 2 stores this evening, my buddy praxis has been by 2 stores and our other buddy Hector has been by 2 stores - all say the same thing and all of them are free of apple fan boys camping out.

Tomorrow, I’ll be up early with my laptop, camera, and lawn chair (if needed) to find the best store to pick up my iphone.  Really I’m just looking to be one of the first 10-20 or so to ensure I get one in the morning, and since Austin has lots of att stores and 2 separate apple stores I think I’m ok.  I’ll take some pictures while I’m there and post when I get a chance.

Let’s just say they are more than helpful useless.  With today’s technologies and methods of being efficient.  AT&T is succeeding in throwing up more red tape and paper pushing in an otherwise normal business transaction. (Names changed or blotted out to protect the wicked)

Thank you for your patience! An AT&T sales representative will be with you shortly.
You are now chatting with SXXXX, an AT&T sales representative.
SXXXX: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support.  How may I assist you with placing your order today?
Pylorns: I would like to know if I could do the credit check for the iphone online instead of going into a store.
SXXXX: No I am sorry Pylorns that is not available online. You would have to order a phone and plan to see if you are eligible.
Pylorns: SO, going into a store would be doing the same thing then right?
SXXXX: Yes, that is correct.
Pylorns: Ok, if that is the case then would I actually be buying the iphone and not receiving it until Friday?
SXXXX: No, you would have to order another phone to see if you are eligible.
Pylorns: Why would I want to order another phone when I want to buy an iphone. Your website says to do a pre-qualifying credit check
Pylorns: Reduce your wait time on launch day, July 11. Visit the AT&T store where you will purchase iPhone 3G today for a pre-qualifying credit check.
SXXXX: Yes, you would have to do the credit check at an AT&T store.
Pylorns: And by doing that am I buying a phone prior?
SXXXX: No, you would just be checking to see if you are approved.
Pylorns: So you can’t do that online though?
SXXXX: No, I am sorry the only way to do it online is through an order process.
Pylorns: ok thank you for your time.

It seems every day this week apple is releasing some more information on the iphone from the contract costs with at&t to how you use the keyboard that is touchscreen. Its pretty amazing. The question is: How is the phone portion of it? There is no doubt about it, the software running on it will be fairly stable much like the OSX style operating system. We’re looking at a phone running widgets basically. But there are a lot of what if questions that will need to be answered as Friday rolls on.