So you want to get an iPhone ? Get in line . Seriously : stop reading this and get in lineright now .

Apple ’s mobile phoneis shaping up to be the largest launch of a consumer electronics product in history , and if we ’ve learned anything from the release of Nintendo ’s Wii and Sony ’s PlayStation 3 , that meanslines . Apple itself has put forward that iPhones will be available on a first come , first serve basis , so the earlier you may show up , the better your luck will probably be .

“ We might not see lines everywhere , ” says Michael Gartenberg , JupiterResearch vice president and research director , “ but it would appear they ’re already organise in some place . ”

Unlike the Wii and PlayStation 3 , which Gartenberg notes principally appeal to hardcore gamers , the iPhone is attracting a much broader demographic . “ These are regular people , modal consumers take a day off work , ” Gartenberg said . That may very well translate into lines that are as large , if not larger , than those for biz consoles .

It ’s unknown how many phones Apple will have available at launch — estimates tramp from the thousands to the millions . What we do acknowledge is that there are a very special act of okay dispersion venues for the iPhone : namely Apple Stores , company - owned AT&T stores , and on-line viaApple ’s web site . That ’s it : no AT&T resellers , no Apple authorized resellers , not even AT&T ’s Web web site . And Apple confirmed today that there will be limits placed on how many iPhones each client can walk away with — the Apple Store will allow you to buy two iPhones per person . We ’re told AT&T stores will allow customers to buy just one .

As for timing , we know that 6 p.m.local timeis the very second when iPhones will go on sale , so if you really want to be the very first to have one , you ’ll have to head as far east as possible . Apple Stores will shutter at 2 p.m. Friday in readiness for the 6 p.m. high-flown re - opening , while AT&T store will close up at 4:30 p.m. to take delivery of the telephone and get quick for the 6 p.m. launch .

So , if none that makes you lose your brass and youstillfind yourself set to snag an iPhone , what are your options ?

Head to an Apple Store

pro : The iPhone is , above all , an Apple product , so it makes sense that anApple Storewould be the place to be on launch day . The stores , which will be open until midnight on Friday , will probably have the highest quantities of handsets available , so you should have a effective probability at finding one . Furthermore , Apple has been developing an excellent aerodynamic checkout system in the last few geezerhood , including letting stray store employee ring up your credit batting order on handheld detail - of - sale devices . And they ’re likely to know more about the iPhone ’s features and specification than AT&T employees .

Cons : If you reckon you ’ll be the only one with this idea , think again . The Brobdingnagian majority of iPhone hunters will probably head for the close Apple Store , so unless you hold up out in the middle of nowhere ( in which case , you belike do n’t even have an Apple Store nearby ) , the crowds will plausibly be insane . In fact , people have already start to tent out at some places , like the flagship 5th Avenue store in New York , though our intimate poll suggested prospective customers were more likely to try and show up on Friday morning or afternoon .

resource : If you are considering change state the iPhone launching into an nightlong social function , do n’t forget to check out Gridskipper ’s ready to hand camp out guides forSan Francisco region Apple Stores , New York City area Apple Stores , andLos Angeles area Apple Stores . Each guide helps you discover camp out requisite like nutrient , complimentary Wi - Fi , and public restrooms .

betting odds of success : 3 to 1

Head to an AT&T Store

professional : Ah , the AT&T store — the gloomy Equus caballus of iPhone retail availability . Allegedly , Steve Jobs himself has suggested that AT&T memory will be the dependable option , given how crowded the Apple Stores are sure to be . In any event , it is true that fewer people are probably aware that the iPhone is also available at AT&T locations , so it ’s a good bet for the more agoraphobic . AT&T employee will also probably be better informed about the unlike pace plans and options , so if you have plan - specific interrogative sentence , or you ’re an existing AT&T customer , they may be a better choice than the Apple Store employees .

bunco game : Not all AT&T memory are create equal . The iPhone is only usable atcompany - ownedstores . That means no authorized resellers and no franchisees . And AT&T employee are more potential to push more expensive AT&T plans and options , so turnover time may be a little wearisome than the Apple Store . And , accord to AT&T interpreter Mark Siegel , while every one of the 1,800 company - have storage will have a quantity of iPhones , “ some will have more than others , ” so your gas mileage may alter .

Resources : AT&T’sstore findermakes it gentle to find party - owned locations : Just select “ Apple iPhone ” from the leaning of criteria and enter your ZIP code and how far you ’re willing to journey .

betting odds of success : 2 to 1

The Apple online store

pro : Do n’t like to leave your mansion ? Then perhaps the online Apple Store is your best shot . It ’s the only prescribed online store where you could snag an iPhone from the ease of your own desk . Avoid the madding crowds and do n’t worry about spending a cold , unforgiving dark beneath the stars just to get your iPhone . Starting at 6 p.m. Pacific on June 29 , just point , click , go in your credit plug-in info , and you could get back to your non - iPhone related to life sentence , if you ’re lucky enough to have one .

convict : No instant gratification for you ! You belike wo n’t be able to get a helping hand on your shining fresh iPhone until at least the follow Monday . Also , as anybody who ’s ever tried to order a peculiarly pop token online hump , be ready for slow load times on Apple ’s situation and the possible action that the first batch of iPhones will be sold out in eleven minute or so .

resource : go on Friday , you ’re probably going to desire to protrude refreshing the Apple Store moderately frequently .

Odds of winner : 4 to 1

Other online sources

Pros : Make an destruction - run around the licit sources by posting onCraigslistor looking for auctions oneBay . There are certain to be citizenry buy iPhones for the very function of turning around to betray them online . So you may void await in queues or being trampled in the rush and just join the practical crew instead . It ’s a lot less sweaty , that ’s for sure .

yard bird : gestate to ante up a premium . These folks are n’t selling their hard - earned iPhones out of the goodness of their kernel . They ’re buy the farm to want a substantial markup on the cost of the phone — price of a few hundred dollar over retail will likely be equivalence for the course . And , of course , there ’s the ever - present possibleness of fall fair game to a scammer — nothing ’s worse than open up up your cardboard box to observe an origami iPhone or high-risk .

imagination : You wo n’t rule any iPhone auctions on eBay properly now — eBay close down such an auction this spring — but they ’ll likely start out popping up on Friday even . Meanwhile , Craigslistis already rife with people offer to trade phones off — once they get them , that is .

Odds of winner : 10 to 1

Hire someone to wait in line for you

Pros : There are quite a little of multitude out there looking to make a quick one dollar bill , like high school and college students on summertime holiday . If you ’re lucky , you may be able to cajole a teenaged relative or neighbor into await in production line at your local Apple or AT&T Store , as long as you give them at least $ 50 and pay for all the Cinnabons they can eat . If you do n’t know any prospective line waiter in person , you could always post a request on Craigslist , or hire one of the “ professional ” business line waiters who are already offer up their service . Fortunately , it does n’t seem to count who in reality buys the headphone , since all the energizing is done online via iTunes at home .

bunco game : Trust is always an issue with this kind of thing , which is why we recommend hiring someone you cognise . If you must find someone over the net , make certain you work on out a deal that does n’t involve giving your proxy all the money ahead of time , just in causa they adjudicate to hop out with your cashandyour headphone . Some server are take fee in the hundreds of dollar , so you may pay as much as you would via an on-line auction . And teenagers can eata lotof Cinnabons .

Resources : lineage waiters are already promote their services inBoston , San Francisco , Los Angeles , New York City , Chicagoand more . price straddle from $ 1,500 or more to barter offers likecigarettes and beer , ortickets to see the band The White Stripes .

Befriend Steve Jobs

Pros : No one can get an iPhone like Jobs . He ’s fetch them into the hands of commentator likeWalt Mossberg , David Pogue , andSteven Levy , and to friends ( and fellow Apple add-in phallus ) likeGoogle CEO Eric Schmidt .

Cons : It ’s unlikely Mr. Jobs is accepting applications for a new best friend and let ’s face it : you probably are n’t an Apple board member or a prominent engineering science journalist . But should you run into Steve‚—say at the wellness food for thought store , or shopping for a new black polo-neck — I’d urge being ever - so - civilized . Perhaps he ’ll let you catch a tantalizing glimpse of his own iPhone and maybe , if his mercurial look is running high , he ’ll toss you a box and drive forth in his Mercedes , shout out “ Happy iDay to all and to all a good night ! ”

betting odds of succeeder : 1,000,000 to 1

Wait

Pros : Give it a few calendar week , or a calendar month or two , and youshouldhave small job find fault up an iPhone . Once the initial hype has died down , you could probably just waltz into the Apple Store of your selection at whatever time of day you require , and pick up an iPhone : No muss , no fuss . Same with the online Apple Store and AT&T retailers . In fact , starting on Saturday , Apple Stores will be open up at 9 a.m. all summertime long , and you ’ll be able-bodied tocheck handiness onlinethe dark before . The online Apple Store and AT&T retailers will as well also be throng - free .

Cons : No crowds ? No adrenaline ? No soldering with fellow Apple fans ? No biting , punching , or trampling ? Where ’s the merriment in that ? Plus , did we mention you have towait ?

betting odds of winner : Even money

Whichever way you choose to try and acquire an iPhone , we wish you good wellness and the best of luck ; the contest may be fierce . “ With all of the consumer interest , ” JupiterResearch ’s Gartenberg says , “ it ’s likely that need will outstrip supplying . ”

And if you do see Steve , prove and snag us an spear carrier .