By early evening Thursday, short lines of eager customers were camped out at Apple and AT&T stores across the nation. The gadget, which combines the functions of a cell phone, iPod media player and wireless Web browser, will go on sale in the United States at 6 p.m. Friday in each time zone.

$499 and $599, plus $59.99/month for service.

Apple has not disclosed how many iPhones will available at launch.

Best wishes to Apple on this "gadget's" debut!

Update: Should you buy an iPhone?