Like Aaron promised last week, the iPhone 3G was released yesterday, in a footloose and contract-free form.

The 8GB and 16GB handsets aren't cheap, but really, what price can you put on freedom? (Well, apparently $599 and $699, respectively, which is nothing to sneeze at.) AT&T will give you the grand honor of allowing you to buy one ? but only one ? and only if you?re a current customer. If you?re not, well you can get one through Apple, who doesn't care who you are as long as you pony up the dough.

Apple's mellow stance regarding the sale restrictions contrasts its usually strict policy, which BoyGeniusReport thinks indicates that a new iPhone is definitely heading for release soon.