So you know you can buy your iPhone at an Apple Store or an AT&T store -- nothing new there. And as of a couple months ago, Best Buy was added to the list of retail outlets selling the iPhone 3G. Now comes word that a few more chains could be in the offing.

According to Boy Genius Report, as of the end of December--the 28th, to be precise--you'll be able to waltz into select Wal-Mart and Sam's Club locations and leave with your very own iPhone 3G. The information has not been officially confirmed by Apple, AT&T, or Wal-Mart, and comes from purported internal Wal-Mart correspondence. The communication supposedly lays out the timeline for rolling out the new iPhone in December, including employee training and support. As always, you'll need to sign up for a 2-year contract when you buy the phone.

How likely is this? Well, Wal-Mart does currently sell Apple products, though it's limited to their consumer electronics lines: specifically iPods, and attendant accessories, and Apple TVs. The iPhone would seem to be in good company there, and it would certainly seem like a good strategic move for appealing to a demographic that doesn't necessarily frequent Apple Stores or Best Buys. But Wal-Mart and Sam's Club are both known for their cut-rate pricing, something that Apple shys away from, and the post-Christmas release date is curious, leading some to believe the handset will be reduced in price after the holidays are over.

But as we said, this information is totally unconfirmed right now, with the report stemming from a single web site citing unnamed sources. We certainly wouldn't risk putting money down on it, especially in the current economic climate.

» posted by ITworld staff

Macworld.com

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