Buying an iPhone: Still Some Questions Left to Be Answered

Many questions still remain about the details of purchasing an iPhone.

Will there be long lines inside or outside the store? What does the data plan cost? Will there be more than one data plan? How many iPhones at launch? How come I still can't find a Nintendo Wii?

AT&T corporate better get on the ball, as there is no reason to withhold this information anymore, unless the news is bad.

My prediction is long lines for the iPhone will form outside AT&T stores starting early and then start moving at 6:00 pm. This would allow for normal store traffic to flow in and out of the store until the iPhone is sold out. The problem is having people stand outside in the sun all day--people will be dropping form heat exhaustion left and right. That would be bad PR for Apple and AT&T. My closest AT&T Wireless store closes at 7:30 on Friday. So, they know they can sell out their supply of phones in an hour and a half and then be able to close up shop, telling everyone to go home.

Whether you should even try to buy an iPhone will depend on your resolve and the number of phones available. If it's less than a million available, all but the most hardcore should forget about it. I already had the experience with waiting in line for the second shipment of Xbox 360s, and I had to get there at 3 am to have the favor of being 30th in line.

*update* Engadget is reporting that AT&T stores will close at 4:30, then reopen at 6:00 to sell the iPhone. The Apple Phone Show is reporting that no Cingular stores will be selling the iPhone, only select AT&T stores.