June 21, 2007 5:32 PM PDT

The iPhone line starts here

by Jason Parker
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iPhone (Credit: CNET Networks)

Eight days! In only eight days (after this post) the iPhone will be released to the technology-loving public. The thing I'm most amazed about is the hype this thing is generating. I'm definitely excited and have been a supplier of hype myself in this very blog, but I wasn't prepared for the sheer volume of information and rumors surrounding a phone that hasn't even seen the light of day yet (unless you count those lucky Apple employees). The hype is reaching such a feverish pitch at this point that some Mac rumor sites, like the appropriately named MacRumors.com, are offering buying strategies to obtain an iPhone.

Both AT&T and Apple are preparing for possible logistical problems. AT&T has hired 2,000 temporary employees to help handle the launch and also put out a memo (via BoyGeniusReport.com) concerning crowd control (Read: stanchions) when the doors finally open. One AT&T store will be giving out wristbands at the 4:30 p.m. closing time to those who are interested in buying at 6:00 p.m....What's that? You haven't heard about the closing of stores? Both Apple and AT&T will be closing their doors on June 29 at 4:30 p.m. to get ready for the 6:00 p.m. launch. What employees will be doing behind those closed doors is anyone's guess (Tethering the phones to the display tables? Putting on white Apple-logo jumpsuits? Eating their last meals? Changing into iRiot gear?). Clearly they're expecting a big turnout and with all the hype the iPhone is getting, I think their launch expectations will be fulfilled.

What do you think? Is it going to be a mad rush to Apple and AT&T stores? Will people spend the night outside stores for a phone? Are you over it already? Let me know in the comments!

Jason Parker writes software reviews and features for Windows, Mac, and iPhone. If he learned to dance, it would make him a fabled "quadruple threat," but we can't get him to do it.
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I am over this phone already
by voyager_2007 June 21, 2007 8:49 PM PDT
Sealed battery compartment
5 hours of talk time
No 3G
What if you're wearing gloves or a band-aid? How easy is the screen going to be to use?
The price. Of course. $499 or $599, depending on storage space required.
8GB only for Music
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I am over this phone
by voyager_2007 June 21, 2007 8:50 PM PDT
Sealed battery compartment
5 hours of talk time
No 3G
What if you're wearing gloves or a band-aid? How easy is the screen going to be to use?
The price. Of course. $499 or $599, depending on storage space required.
8GB only for Music
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Started off really excited...
by Fikii17 June 21, 2007 9:30 PM PDT
When I first heard about this project, I was really excited about it and even began planning how to get the money to buy one. However, the novelty wore off and reality set in that the phone just isn't living up to the hype. It needs a larger hard drive, more talk time, and a lower price. $600, a two year contract, and an extra $50 per month for a data plan from Cingular is too much to shell out, no matter how many features the phone has. I love the touch screen and the versatility, I really hope Apple uses some of this technology on the next iPod! Hopefully Apple will put out some better versions of this at future times, but for now the hype was too much.
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It's Just a Phone!!!
by monkeyman1953 June 22, 2007 9:31 AM PDT
Geez! Let's not forget the iPhone is JUST A PHONE! Sure it may be cool and new and sexy. But, come on. It's not like it will bring world peace, eliminate poverty, or something else important. And, what is the read on its phone capabilities?
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Apple Hype & AT&T Garbage!
by Cyclops! June 22, 2007 1:56 PM PDT
This phone does not Have G3, it has Cingular's terrible EDGE network, which is extremely slow. The only way this would be fast internet wise is if you spent your full time in a place that had full Wi-Fi, like a Starbuck's or something. 8 GB doesn't hold many songs, especially if a 256 kbps file is about 9 MB in size. The inability to upgrade storage space is also a big downer. The price is ridiculously high.
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