thinking of buying an iphone? wait...

i was JUST driving around and getting ready to make a complete and total impulse buy - a new iphone - when i had a moment of clarity and called my friend to ask if he knew of any reason why this was a dumb idea (nate is the mac-GOD) lucky thing - he gave me the skinny on this and now i am giving it to you guys (in case anyone out there was thinking of getting one this month)

1) the new iphone G3 will most likely be released in the next month
macrumors is saying the new iphone will most likely be released sometime between now and end of june.. the 3G version means MUCH faster internet and probably GPS ( iPhone currently uses the EDGE network for its data connectivity - which blows but meant a longer battery life and smaller size than the G3 would have been able to bring to the table before now.. but the technology that will make the swap feasible is officially in place as of feb 08)

jobs (apple) stated last year that the 3G phone IS coming - and stephenson (AT&T head) stated flat out that the 3G version of the iphone would be made available in 2008 ..

now, apple's worldwide developer's conference runs june 9-13 and you know how he likes to drop a release in that keynote speech..

2) $100 price drop on the current model is eminent
9to5Mac is saying the drop will occur next month - so even if you don't care about the G3 enhancements - you can still snag the CURRENT iphone for $100 less if you just wait a bit. (there are ALSO rumors that AT&T might be subsidizing the NEW G3 model - making it either the same price as the one you would buy today, or -possibly- even cheaper)

3) so after i read this i called up my local AT&T shop and told the guy (whom i had been speaking to earlier and who was now thinking his commission on my new iphone was eminent) and told him i was holding out for the new G3 version that was coming out next month.. he got very weird on me - "WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?" he demanded.. and "THAT is NOT an OFFICIAL apple or at&t statement!" .. yeah, he was totally pissed off - but he didn't make any attempts to deny that it was true, either...

The word you're looking for is imminent. Eminent means:
1. high in station, rank, or repute; prominent; distinguished: eminent statesmen.
2. conspicuous, signal, or noteworthy: eminent fairness.
3. lofty; high: eminent peaks.
4. prominent; projecting; protruding: an eminent nose.

dad?..!

It's 3G not G3, as in "third generation".

Also, AT&T employees do not earn any commission on iPhone sales. In fact, AT&T employees have been known to convince customers not to buy iPhones for this reason. They make no commission on selling you service either, since you activate your phone from home.

Buying an iPhone now is still a good idea if you plan to unlock it. AT&T is selling refurbished iPhones between $250 and $350 for 8 GB and 16 GB respectively. That's a pretty damn good deal considering they go for $150 more at retail. I bought one myself recently, but I plan to sell it abroad.

If you'd like more information feel free to visit the iPhone group.

i knew nothing about these "groups" but i went and looked at this one just now and there is a ton of good info in there - thank you for supplying that link!

(hmm.. no commission really? i have to wonder why the at&t guy was so insistent that i come in that DAY and talk directly to him then? weird.. maybe he was just being particularly helpful? sad that is the LAST possibility that i would consider - but customer service is not what it used to be..)

I heard a rumor (can't remember where) that at&t was considering subsidizing the iPhone like other cell phones. Something in the neighborhood of $199 plus the standard 2-year commitment.