Of those expressing interest to purchase, nine percent say they would buy at the product launch (in June), and another eight percent would buy before their current wireless service contract expired. About 17 percent say they would wait for their current wireless contract to expire before purchasing, and 25 percent would purchase it -- when their existing wireless carrier offers the iPhone. Finally, a full 40 percent of buyers intend to wait for the price to come down.

So what makes the iPhone so attractive? According to the Harris Interactive survey, the hottest iPhone feature was its large storage capacity (37 percent). This is followed by iPhone quad band worldwide capabilities (36 percent) and its cool user interface (31 percent). Overall, high powered multi-functional mobile devices like the iPhone have strong appeal to about 31 percent of the marketplace. The remainder does not need, or care to pay for, all those bells and whistles and seek simpler solutions.

In June look for a nice pop in iPhone sales out of the gate and some additional subscribers lining up at AT&T/Cingular to switch their carrier and get their iPhone, according to Harris Interactive. Longer term, look for continued success for iPhone and continued churn among wireless service providers. Another announcement for a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) version of iPhone could really add gasoline to the fire, which leads to speculation about Apple's pricing policy and the introduction of additional products to their lineup (iPhone nano anyone?), the research company adds.

"Apple's new iPhone has shaken the industry to its core," says Joseph Porus, vice president of Harris Interactive's Technology Practice. "Look for strong sales and a new cult to develop around iPhone. Also expect increased orders for midnight oil as competitors scramble to play catch-up."

This survey was conducted online within the U.S. between Feb. 13-19, 2007, among 1,116 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.