I’m usually all about the asterisk. But either I never noticed it, or they just added it. Either way, my life is not going to change for the better on July 11th, as I had been planning. I’ve been patient. I’ve wanted the iPhone ever since the beginning. But I knew I needed to hold out for the “next” version, you know, let them work the kinks out…and let the price come down as well. So when version 2.0 was announced with the amazingly low price of $199, I about jumped out of my skin. I can’t imagine anyone NOT getting an iPhone now, I figured. Not realizing that particular anyone not getting an iPhone would end up being me. Turns out it’s all about the asterisk. As I leafed through the Apple site yesterday, in preparation of the big day (they have a “How to Get Ready for Friday” section) I got all my papers lined up, got my blood type and library cards photocopied in triplicate, and thought I’d check out the monthly plan charge I could start to expect, come Friday. That took me to The New AT&T’s site (the company with the worst in-home phone coverage ever). I clicked on prices for existing AT&T customers, you know, the loyal minions. Well, guess what? Turns out my phone number is “not eligible for upgrade.” In human terms, that means, “Sorry, you can’t get an iPhone for $199. But you can buy one for the early-upgrade price of $399 plus an $18 upgrade charge!” Seriously? I felt like someone kicked my dog. I called AT&T customer service AND the Green Hills Apple Store just to make sure, and even got the AT&T guy on the line to admit this sucks for me…and all the other people who think they’re going to be able to buy an iPhone for $199 (with a two-year service contract with AT&T for new customer or eligible existing customers) on July 11th. The Apple Store guy seemed un-phased, perhaps even lightly brain-washed when I asked about the insanity that will probably ensue on Friday when people show up to buy their phone and find out how expensive it turns out to be - “We’ll just approach this on a case-by-case basis.” There’s talk of making the iPhone available for $599 if you don’t sign a two-year plan with AT&T. I’d like to find someone who is going to find a way of upgrading their current iPhone to a new one, and then buy the old one off of them, and find some way to use it or at least walk around with it, until I become worthy, er…eligible for my own.