CNET News Daily Podcast: Highs and lows of iPhone 3G launch day

iPhone 3G launch day has the gadget world all abuzz. CNET News reporters Greg Sandoval and Erica Ogg talk about what they witnessed Friday morning at iPhone 3G sale points in San Francisco, and some of the glitches that have cropped up for those trying to get their next-generation smartphones up and running.

Plus, CNET News intern Holly Jackson talks to reporter Martin LaMonica about IBM's latest green move--a concerted smart-grid effort.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

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Today's stories:

Full iPhone coverage

Server crashes slow lines, frustrate iPhone buyers

Verizon Wireless settles early-termination suit

FCC chief plans to recommend sanctions against Comcast

Rambus sues Nvidia for patent infringement

IBM to prime pump for smart-grid start-ups

Vista Compatibility Center up and running

Location, location: YouTube tests geo video search

Report: No charges in Apple backdating probe

Intel's in-home health device gets FDA nod

Texting champ wins $50,000

[NYFundGuy]

The Big Fat Lie about Price!
All the headlines scream, "$199 or $299! New low cost for the 3G!" Which is the price, EXCEPT if you have been, like me, a loyal AT&T customer. For that loyalty, I have the privilege of being charged either $399 or $499! This has been confirmed by three different AT&T sources. My only option, other than paying the "penalty," is to wait another six months on my BlackBerry contract.
GRRRRRR.

[marc0nline]

It always said for new customers. There was no lie... you can't read.

[beeXtreem]

Please, are International versions of the new iPhone available, i.e. version that are not locked to any particular network?

[Tom Andries]

Yes, there are unlocked iPhones available... i really really wanted one since Belgian iPhones are official and unlocked... unfortunately the price for the Belgian iPhone is the highest in the world! Almost $1000 for the 16GB version and only 250 were available at launch.

Guess I'll have to wait (and save) a bit longer... wrote an article about it called: 'Smurfs, French Fries and the most expensive iPhone in the World' at http://www.HypedWorld.com...

[DrBillyHell]

So I stand in line on the morning of the 11th for the iPhone 3G release. We put our hours in only to find the ATT Wireless store had no more phones. "Would you like to order an iPhone 3G now so you don't have to stand in line again?" asks the sales person. " Will I get my iPhone when the next batch arrives?" S"ure says the blue shirted ATT employee". We lay our credit card down for two iPhone 3Gs and walk out. The email we were sent with our iPhone 3G order numbers had a tracking page that has yet to work. So tonight (the 12th) we drop into the ATT store to check on our our two 16 gig black iPhones. I ask, "do you have any more in?" "Yes and we should have more on Monday". "So I'll get my phone on Monday?" I ask. "No you will get your iPhone 3G in the next 7 to 10 days". "WHAT?!" At this point I'm trying to remain calm. I tell the sales person that I waited in line and it doesn't seem right that I have to wait 7 to 10 days while they are getting Iphones in the store daily. A shrug is all I got. I knew if I stayed in the store any longer I was going to get hot.
I tell you what upsets me, I excited about the phone. I'm excited enough to stand in line. I excited enough to leave my old carrier for ATT. I'm excited enough to lay down $600 plus dollars for two iPhone 3Gs for my wife and I. The fact that now you can leisurely walk into the ATT store and buy an iPhone 3G while I have to wait 7 to 10 days is wrong. It's put a bad feeling over the whole. I'm pissed and I don't even have my phone yet.