Update: Getting an iPhone: New tip, and my own experience today

By { B a r c a ,, @Flickr

 

I went by my local apple store at Tyson’s Corner in Virginia today during lunch time. To my surprise, the line was only 10 deep! So I ventured forth to try to figure out what was up.

iPhone lines getting shorter : Also handing out golden tickets

 

By Mykl Roventine @Flickr

TUAW is reporting that Apple stores have been handing out golden tickets. Essentially they give you a ticket while you wait in line, that guarantees that you can get an iPhone. You can leave, and come by the store later during the day and get your iPhone at your convenience.

 

That’s great and all, especially say you stood in line for 2 hours, and suddenly need to leave for a meeting. It’s nice to know you’re still guaranteed an iPhone.

The lines will also likely end up being shorter, since people will be getting the phone throughout the day.

Based on anecdotal evidence, it also seems like lines are now <2 hours, though iPhone have still been sold out. In any case, keep checking those iPhone availabilities, and good luck getting the phone!

Where to buy an iPhone: 10 Tips

As promised, I’ve compiled 10 useful tips you should probably follow before you head out to buy your iPhone. It will save you lots of time, and will hopefully net you that precious phone by the end of the day!
 

Runnn to the store! By Gemsling @Flickr

 

This article will also conclude my series on “how to buy an iPhone”. Future posts will continue to cover iPhone news, App reviews, Tips & Tricks, Jailbreaking, Unlocking, etc. So after you get that phone, remember to check back!

Update: iPhone availability checker

There have been some developments in the area of Chris Barnes’ iPhone availability checker. You can get it here, and the list is updated every 15 minutes. But before you hop over, you might want to read the explanation after the break:

Where to buy an iPhone – AT&T or Apple Store?

Should you buy your iPhone at an AT&T store or an Apple store? Besides providing a link to iPhone availabilities at US Apple stores, (updated every 15 minutes) I’m also going to give some suggestions on where you should be looking to go for your iPhone.

Ok – Let’s just get this out of the way. I think the first post of this blog already links to the iPhone availability checker by Chris Barnes. This tool lets us check which stores had inventory, and it is updated every 15 minutes. 

Now that’s out of the way, read on for a discussion of whether to visit an AT&T store or an Apple store to get your iPhone.

iPhone Availability Checker

UPDATE: This more recent post also has the iphone availability checker link, with updates about the website!

Chris Barnes made a website that gives you iPhone availabilities in all US Apple Stores – Updated every 15 minutes!

It seems like the iPhone shortage is slowly winding down. As of Sunday, only 4 Apple stores in the entire US had iPhones in stock. The situation has improved dramatically to about 90+ stores with stock, which is approximately 50% of all Apple stores.

Head on over the break for the link and more: