Tuesday, July 8, 2008 -- 11:17 p.m. -- at my desk

OK. Friday is almost here. And you want an iPhone 3G, right?

If you answered yes to both questions, or even just the second one, here's how you should go about doing it.

Where to go
You have two choices in the States, AT&T or Apple. In other countries, the carrier might be your only option.

Here in the U.S., it's a tough call. The Apple store is clearly the cooler place to be ... the vibe will be cooler and the energy will likely be greater.

AT&T has a strict policy of 1 iPhone per person -- even stating that if you are setting up a family plan that you need to bring the family with you. Apple hasn't made its official announcement, but one can only assume that the situation will be similar.

When to go
Let's start here. 8 a.m. in the U.S. That's when the iPhone 3G goes on sale at AT&T stores and Apple stores.

I can't say for sure when the lines are going to form at most stores -- New York is a different animal. But last time, people were in line several days in advance. I don't think you'll see current iPhone users in line, but you may see many first time buyers who missed out on the excitement of the line take their turn this time. Best thing you can do is check often and see if the lines are building. Then you have to decide how much time you are willing to spend in line.

What to bring, what to do
According to Apple, here is what you need to have with you when you arrive:

Credit card
Social security number
Valid, government-issued photo ID
Your current wireless account number and password or PIN (if you’re new to AT&T)
Remember to sync your current iPhone one last time before you come into the store.

No matter which you choose -- AT&T or Apple -- you should plan on bringing the same information along. Better to be safe rather than sorry, especially if you end up waiting on line for 42 hours and you are sent away for forgetting something.

But how will I know?
Buying from an Apple store, each night at 9 p.m., you will be able to find the availability for each store for the next day. The first day it's all hit or miss, but if you plan on getting in line any time after Friday, this resource might prove very useful.

The first place I checked when I was looking for specific information about Apple's retail stores was Gary at ifoapplestore.com. He summizes the following:
-- Apple stores will get more stock than any other store
-- Expect 750 to 1,000 units on launch day per Apple store

Wonder Twin powers ... ACTIVATE
Form of an ... iPhone
shape of an... iPhone
Yeah, you need to activate in the store. There are no at home activations in the U.S. Some countries are apparently allowing the old iTunes activation like with the old iPhone, but not here, not in most places, not this time.

But ... take your time
According to Bloomberg, who talked to Apple's senior vice president of retail Ron Johnson, Apple hopes to process about 100 customers per hour and estimates that it will take 10 to 15 minutes to get your iPhone 3G activated and running.

Also of interest is Johnson's comments about the experience overall.

“Our goal is to always have enough supply for every customer.” Also, Johnson said customers will not be hurried. “We’ll spend as long as it takes with our customers to make sure they’re happy with the phone,” he told Bloomberg.

No matter where you go, it's pretty safe to assume that no one is going to kick you out until you have your questions answered, no matter how busy things are.

But captain, that's illogical
AT&T says that if you are signing up for an enterprise plan that you must buy at an AT&T store, not an Apple store. Frankly, I don't know why that is and really don't see any reason an Apple employee can't sign someone up for an enterprise account, but that's how it works.

And despite what you may have read ... According to my trusted representative at AT&T, consumers pay $30 for data, not $45 -- the only people who pay $45 for data are businesses that are buying iPhones. Just because you access corporate e-mail on your iPhone, that doesn't mean you have to pay more ... although, as I've stated before, if you use such an incredible amount of data that it attracts AT&T's attention, you may have to switch plans, but I plan to access my corporate e-mail and I have absolutely no plans to pay more than $30.

We are family
AT&T has made it clear that for people signing up for family plans, you need to bring the family. I really think that someone getting 3 or 4 iPhones for their family should be able to send one representative, but I specifically asked AT&T this question and was told that there was the strict rule of one per person. Sadly, Apple never stated its rules regarding this. My advice to you is to bring anyone who will be using the iPhone just to be on the safe side, no matter how inconvenient it may be.

Don't get your hopes up for white
AT&T wouldn't say for sure whether or not they would have any white 16GB models. My guess is that the bigger Apple stores will have them, but the smaller ones will not. So, if white is a dealbreaker for you, you might want to hit Apple -- or you might want to be willing to switch to black at the last minute. The last thing you want to do is raise a ruckus when you don't get the one you want.

Well, there you have it ... I'm sure I missed something. And if I did, feel free to leave me a comment and ask me your questions. I tried to put together the big things that people have been asking me.

Also in the comments, let me know how you plan to spend Friday -- are you buying? If so, where are you going and what time will you get there?

Thanks for calling.

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I'm pretty set on getting the white iPhone. Are you just guessing that the white supply may be low or did you get some inside info from ATT? My friend went over to an ATT store today and asked how many iPhone units they'd have in stock and they told him they didn't know. I'm just trying to figure out what you're basing this on. As for my Friday plan, I plan on arriving at the ATT store closest to my job (1 mile from job) around 6:45 AM and checking out the scenery, if there isn't much going on I'll go over to the Apple store in Manhattan Beach (3 miles from my job) and get in line there if the line isn't already huge. My hope is to walk into work with a 3G iPhone in hand!

SCOTT'S REPLY: No, no inside information ... I just get the feeling that it's not going to be the easiest thing to get because it's "special."

How cool would it be for you to walk into work with the new iPhone. You know you aren't going to get a thing done.

I'm so jealous right now...

SCOTT'S REPLY: You'll soon get your turn. I know it must be tough.

I have decided to sit back and wait. I am actually VERY happy with my current iPhone and there is nothing pressing me to upgrade right now. I want to see what is available in the app store and play with Mobile Me a bit before I make a final decision.

For the most part, I am never far from wifi so speed really isn't a factor for me. The one thing that may sway me is the GPS if TomTom manages to get the turn by turn out as an app. That or any other must have app that would really require I upgrade.

Right now I am just happy to have a phone I love that I know is going to be even more amazing come 2.0. I am also very happy that I am not under contract with AT&T. :)

SCOTT'S REPLY: I think that's a very, very good way of looking at it and it sounds like you've given it a lot of thought.

credit card? they're not accepting cash?

SCOTT'S REPLY: I'm asking AT&T how that works ... i know a credit card is required for ID ... but the form of payment is a little confusing -- whether or not you can use cash, gift cards, etc. Sadly, I can only likely tell you what AT&T says -- Apple hasn't responded to any questions regarding payment.

My advice? Be ready with both if you really want to use cash.

Hi Scott, I'm not sure I'm getting a ton of work done in anticipation of Friday anyway. haha. Just got off the phone with ATT and here's what the rep recommended:
- Hold off on the transfer of ownership and just go into an ATT or Apple store on Friday and get the iPhone.
- Call ATT after purchasing the iPhone and then do a transfer of ownership. She said no charges would be incurred to my Dad's account since I would only be taking over my line and not cancelling the contract.
- She said there was no guarantee my upgrade eligibility would be maintained if I accepted a new individual line at the moment especially since the phone I was trying to get was the iPhone(seems like they're really strict about iPhone).

So all seems well for now. I'll let you know what unfolds. Now back to "work".

SCOTT'S REPLY: You got a representative that truly knew how to help you in this unique situation. I'm very glad to hear that. Do let me know how it goes, of course.

Well our plan of action changed when we heard the one phone per person in line rule. We were going to split up between two locations we had scouted out in our area as looking like they wouldn't get much action, and seeing who was lucky enough to get them.
Instead we pre-qualified at the AT&T store which is a couple minutes walk from our house. One of us will go get in line as soon as we wake up, the other will get the kid up and dropped off at daycare, then join the other in line before 8am. The AT&T rep we spoke to said she was pretty certain we'd be in luck. If the AT&T thing doesn't work out we'll hit up our other location which is an Apple store. So here's to Friday am!
I'll also be walking in to work with mine if I get one. The other colleagues who have taken the day off to get them are not planning on coming in at all so I'll be the one doing show and tell...

SCOTT'S REPLY: It's great that you are so well prepared, Jennifer. Really good thinking.

What time do you think the 2.0 software upgrade will be available? exactly at 8am? 12:01am? after 8am?

Got any idea?

thanks

SCOTT'S REPLY: I wish I knew. Apple never says. It makes sense that it will coincide with mobile me, so I think it could very well be tonight or early tomorrow, but I do not know for sure.

I've been told by the local AT&T store that cash is an acceptable form of payment. I cannot speak for the Apple store policy though.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I was just told that by AT&T officially as well. Not sure about Apple, but I would think that it would be similar.

I've seen information on other sites that indicates the head retail guru from Apple said in an interview, "No cash at Apple stores". That's because they'll be using their little EZPay hand-held card readers to process iPhone orders and sadly they do not swipe cash very well. ;o)

SCOTT'S REPLY: Yes, Apple did say, actually, to bring a credit card. That does make sense.

Not sure if I am going to get a new phone on Friday - is it worth signing a contract for 2 years with AT&T when I already have a nice iPhone? Where did you hear that the white one was going to be harder to get? Are their images of either posted anywhere? Thanks!!!

SCOTT'S REPLY: In many cases, you might have all you need, Darlene, especially with the app store about to launch. I heard the white thing from some folks who know a little about the stock at each store. It seems to be the exception and not the norm, but that could change beforehand. Do I sense that you'd lean toward white if you were to buy?

There's no actual photo other than the one apple has on its site of the back of the iPhone. It's been a secret, pretty much thus far. All the review models sent out to the big papers were black ones.

So Scott, how much is Apple paying you to be a fanboy tool to hype their products?

SCOTT'S REPLY: James, after a long day I am happy to write this in reply to your comment ... I can't imagine anyone knowing more about being a tool than you.

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