When it comes to the iPhone, some people are trying to avoid being put on hold.

Buyers busily are mapping plans for getting their hands on one, but the specifics of where to go and what will be available remain elusive.

Apple has announced that customers will be able to buy iPhones only at Apple stores, the online Apple store or at AT&T retail stores. The iPhone requires an AT&T contract.

Which AT&T stores will carry the phones isn’t as clear.

Apple stores will not be offering preorders or a customer waiting list, and Apple is not commenting on how many phones will be going to each store.

The iPhone requires a service provider agreement that, initially at least, will be available only through AT&T at Apple and AT&T stores.

Speculation is growing about whether the phone will have different features from what Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs described when he introduced it in January at the MacWorld conference.