The uber-gadget will be released at 6PM local time on Friday July 29th. You can barely read a Mac, computer or gadget blog without being overwhelmed by articles about it.

This article outlines what you need to know if you want to get one. And - stuck with a cellular contract for another year? Wired has a helpful article listing some slightly shady ways to get out of that contract - but let’s face it, if you can’t stick it to your cellular company, who can you stick it to?

Also - think it’s too expensive for you? If you have a Crackberry, you might actually find the iPhone cheaper.

Here are things you should know about buying the iPhone:

• The iPhone will be available at Apple Stores and at company-owned AT&T Wireless stores starting 6PM localtime on Friday June 29th.
• AT&T Wireless Stores will restrict purchasers to one iPhone per customer.
• The Apple Store will restrict purchasers to two iPhones per customer.
  The iPhone will be available through the Apple Store online.
• The iPhone requires a two-year service commitment.
• Even the iPod functions of the iPhone will not work unless it’s activated.
• Activation is not done at the store - instead, it’s done at your computer via iTunes.
• The iPhone will require iTunes version 7.3, not yet released.
• You should be able to transfer your old service and phone number to the iPhone.
• Check here to search for AT&T Wireless stores carrying the iPhone.
• Check here for the status of Apple Stores carrying the iPhone.
• You can return your iPhone and get out of your two year commitment for varying costs after varying numbers of days.

Some technical things you should know about the iPhone:

• Wireless data over AT&T’s Edge network is slow.
• The four major press reviews of it are all very positive.
• You can’t use cellular Internet access at the same time as you’re making a call.
• You can use 802.11 wireless networking at the same time as you’re making a call.
• You can’t use the iPhone as a wireless modem for your computer.
• Despite being able to play video and movies, the iPhone doesn’t have any support for connecting to a TV.
• The iPhone’s web browser doesn’t support Flash or Java.

[tags]iphone, apple, at&t, at&t wireless, cingular, jesus phone, flash, java, edge, apple store, itunes[/tags]

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