Upgrading my iPhone - help!
 

Ok... I have a 3gs w/ latest os/firmware on it. Gonna get a 4 for $1... but only 'cause I'm tired of having to reboot my current phone frequently, and I'd like the flash for the camera.

I don't do Windows or Mac computers, but do have one Windows 7 desktop that is "mine" (well, works, and I don't use it for anything really).

All I care about is saving my contacts... I only use my phone to make calls, send texts, and browse the web a little - no other apps, games, integration with Facebook, etc. I've plugged the phone in, synched it, but I can't see contacts anywhere in iTunes on the windows machine.

Is this the right way to do it? I've only got 30 or so contacts in my phone, would I be better off just starting wtih a new blank iPhone 4 (not the 4s, not the new 5) and just manually reentering my contacts?

If you backed it up in iTunes, you're good. iTunes won't show you the contacts. Restore your new iPhone when you get it and all will be fine.

This.

Argh! Moot point. When I checked the website last night, it said I could upgrade now for $0.99, or in early November for free. Just came from teh ATT store, to upgrade now would cost me $250, or I can upgrade for $0.99 two days after the website told me I could in November.

Told the sales drone that if I were to pay 250, I'd pay it for an unlocked phone that didn't require the monthly data plan that I don't use (I've used 200mb in 16 months), and not have any kind of contract at all. He got smarmy about how the network wouldn't let me on without one, and I looked at him and said that I wouldn't be using ATT's network ... kinda subdued him. But still no upgrade until November. :(

why iphone if you don't use data? you will save $30-40 a month by going without a data plan on a regular phone. most regular phones have broswer and wifi in case you need to occasionally surf the web via wifi.

Yes, but 2 years ago when I had to get a new phone (old one dropped and died) all the "regular" phones pissed me off because of the crap they had on them that got in the way of them being a phone. That and numeric keyboards... at the time, the iphone was the best at being "just a phone" if that is what you wanted. Of course, now I like the interface, keyboard, etc. and am used to it.

Also, the wife just signed a contract for the family data plan, there will be 6 of us using it, so a non-data phone will actually cost me more at this point.

I just hate a) lying sales drones b) lying companies c) having multiple sets of the "same" information that is actually different

I never use iTunes anymore. Sync mine through google apps, and can see emails, contacts, calender on any pc, work or home. Also updates/syncs my iPad automatically.

Automatically updates the data to a new phone, and if I ever decide to go to a different (non-apple) phone, my data can be pulled from google....

Easiest way to import contacts is by using iCloud. No need to hook your phone up to a computer. Takes all of 1 minute for all of your contacts from your old phone to be imported into your new phone.