How strong is the buzz for Apple iPhone?

It's a question on the minds of not only Apple executives and share holders, but also many of us technology-loving people - just how big will the iPhone be, and how much do people really want it? To give us a little insight into the potential of the iPhone, Harris Interactive Research conducted a poll.

9% of respondents said they would buy the Apple iPhone at product launch, and another 8% said they would buy it before their current wireless service contract expired. 17% they would wait for their current wireless contract to expire before purchasing, and 25% said they would purchase it only when their existing service provider carries the iPhone. Lastly, 40% of buyers are waiting for the price to come down, and if rumors of a rebate are true, this 40% might be purchasing one sooner than they thought they could.

So what's so attractive about the iPhone? 37% said it was its large storage capacity, 36% its quad band worldwide capabilities, and 31% said its easy to use, stylish user interface. 31% of those who were polled were attracted to the iPhone for its features, while the rest of them said they don't need, or don't want to pay for, all the added features and would prefer something simpler.

Harris Interactive expects sales of the iPhone to pop at its launch in June, with additional subscribers switching over to AT&T to get the iPhone. They are also predicting long term success and the expansion of the phone to other carriers. Harris Interactive also says that we can look forward to a CDMA version of the phone to eventually be up for grabs. They also speculate that different versions or products in the iPhone line may eventually pop up.

What's this mean for Apple? Good sales, and a new cult following.