Well, this is certainly rare and welcome news.  AT&T has decided to allow iPhone 3G early adopters (those who purchased a 3G in July, August or September 2008 with a contract) to upgrade to the iPhone 3GS at the same price new customers will pay.  In other words, instead of paying $399 (16GB) or $499 (32GB) for a new 3GS – which was the original upgrade policy – these customers will pay $199 or $299 if they qualify. 

If you’ve already placed an order for the new iPhone through AT&T or Apple, and you qualify, you’ll still get the deal.  Those who will pick-up their preorders at  an AT&T retail store will have the price adjusted then.  Qualifying online AT&T preorder customers will get an email with the details and a credit.  If you preordered from Apple’s online store “your upgrade eligibility will be reassessed based on AT&T’s new upgrade policy … if you are eligible for the lower price, Apple will issue you a credit for the difference as applicable.”

It’s not every day that a company makes a 180-degree turn around like this, so it’s welcome news.  If it proves to work as advertised (i.e. they don’t play games with upgrade qualifications), they deserve a big thanks.

AT&T Press Release

AT&T is clearing out inventory, making room for the expected June release of Apple’s new iPhone model(s).

Would-be iPhone 3G users can now grab a refurbished unit for $99 (8GB) or $149 (16GB) from the AT&T Online Store or from AT&T brick-and-mortar stores.

These refurbished iPhones still require a two-year service agreement in order to get the quoted price.

Now through December 25, 2008, Amazon MP3 is offering a $5.00 credit toward music downloads when you spend $25 or more on a single order at Amazon.com.  You must purchase qualifying products at Amazon.com from one or more of the following departments: Music (audio CDs) or Electronics (including Audio/Video, Camera, Photo & Video, Office Products, PC or Wireless) to qualify for the credit.

For those of you who do not know, Amazon MP3 sells DRM-free music tracks and albums which will play on any digital music player including the iPhone and Apple’s family of iPods.

Visit Amazon.com’s CD Music Store or Electronics Store to order qualifying products.

There are several free solutions which allow you to rip DVD movies (or TV shows) for playback on your iPhone.  DVDFab, our favorite DVD ripping solution for Windows, isn’t free – but it is fast, effective and idiot-proof.  Just pop in your DVD (protected or non-protected), select the iPod setting and DVDFab does the rest.

If you’re not into multiple-stage solutions and just want a DVD ripper that works, DVDFab is the best there is.  And now through December 7, you can save 20% on all DVDFab products with the coupon code FAB-DEC-OFF.  Just enter it when you check out to apply the discount.

DVDFab Platinum has more features, but the less expensive DVDFab Gold works just great for us, thank you; just be sure to add the Mobile Option.

Some of our favorite retailers are offering savings this Black Friday and throughout the weekend. Get great prices on holiday gifts from:

The Apple Store

Amazon.com

Buy.com

PCMall

BestBuy.com

But hurry; offers end today, this weekend or Monday.