iPhone? I'm no iFan (yet)

Have you see these people waiting outside the Apple stores in NYC, some of whom have been waiting since Tuesday in anticipation of the official release tonight at 6 p.m.?


They've braved hours (and for some, days) of oppressive heat followed by torrential downpours, waiting in line to be the first in the world to shell out $600 for a phone. Let me repeat that: Six hundred dollars for a phone.

Yes, yes, I get it: You can make phone calls on it and access the internet on it and download music with it and take and share photos with it and split the atom with it and turn back time with it and finally win your parents' approval with it.

I get it: The thing does everything.

And as big of a geek as I am, that sounds great. But these people are waiting on line to be first to pay for the privilege to pay (say it with me) six hundred dollars for a phone.

And that's even before you pay for all those services: iTunes to download the music, text messaging fees, and oh, yeah ... monthly access fee to actually make phone calls! (Yes, you can use it to make calls, remember.)

Hey, I love my iPod. And text messaging? I'm like a 14-year-old girl on the keypad, texting everyone I know. I love e-mailing, watching YouTube videos and all that stuff.

But I don't think I need to be connected to all that stuff every second of every day. Have you ever done somewhere and left your cell phone at home? It's pure paradise! Pure freedom!

So, sorry Steve Jobs, when it comes to the iPhone, iPass ... for now!