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It's not too long until AT&T (formally Cingular) and Apple will finally start selling the iPhone. The long wait is almost over. Much has been written about this iPod/phone/Internet hybrid, but very few can say they've actually held the smartphone in their hands.

MacScoop reports a person who claims to have spent an extended period of time with the iPhone has debunked one of the most-often stated concerns regarding the device, its battery life.

You see, while Apple says the iPhone should get up to 5 hours when talking, watching video or browsing the Web and up to 16 hours of audio playback, some have reported that power actually lasts for a much shorter period of time—only about 40 minutes when accessing the Internet through a wireless connection.

According to the tipster, this is incorrect. He said the iPhone's battery life is actually much better than expected, likely equaling or exceeding Apple's own estimates.

While that's good news, he did come away with one concern about the iPhone: the material used for the outer casing is actually quite slippery, even more so than the iPod. Not good news for a $499 or $599 investment.

If true, this would necessitate buying a case or protective skin to prevent you from easily having the iPhone slip out of your hands and onto the floor. (Anyone who owns an iPod knows how easily they can get scratched up without protection.)

Wouldn’t an external case negate some of the iPhone's appeal, however.?

After all, it isn't just the functionality of the device that is drawing so many people's attention. The iPhone's overall look and design are very important factors as well.

Brian Lam at Gizmodo, who says he's spent some time with the iPhone, asserts the smartphone is no more slippery than an iPod.

While blogger Philip Elmer-DeWitt says he actually saw an Apple exec drop an early version of the iPhone onto a floor with now discernable effect. Sure, the floor was carpeted (not the same as concrete), but the iPhone did bounce a few times.

In other iPhone news, AppleInsider reports AT&T stores have experienced a dip in sales for its high-end smartphones of late because many folks are waiting until June to buy or check out an iPhone. And Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer told Reuters the other day the iPhone is still on track for a late June release.