When Apple introduced its highly marketed and -- at the time -- much-coveted iPhone this summer, I was not among the masses waiting in line or standing by on the Internet to buy one the minute the clock struck 6 pm ET.

I had concluded, quite reluctantly, that at $600 it was too expensive. Besides, the Internet access would be too slow for my FIOS-spoiled taste, and I would have to pay a hefty fee to leave Verizon. Still, I longed for the device: I'm a sucker for anything iPod.