[BP-Revo]

Actually, you should be able to pick up 8gb iPhone 3G's (not the new 3GS) from AT&T stores for $99 (new contract, or if he is upgrade eligible if you already are on AT&T - even if he is eligible, there is an $18 upgrade fee - if he's not eligible then it's a few hundred bucks more and therefore not worth it).

However, the cost of the Phone isn't what kills you with the iPhone, it's the agreement in the contract that forces you to pay the $20/month data fee (which does not include any texts at all) on top of whatever plan you have. The data alone becomes $480 over the 2yr contract.

My parents have both moved to corporate-provided cells so I'm the only one left on our plan with AT&T. I have an iPhone 3G 16gb (got it the day it was released last year) and it costs me $80/month. $40 for 450 minutes, $20 for unlimited text, and $20 for the data. Expensive as hell if you ask me - thank god my parents float that bill...

So, if you can live with the monthly fee, then an iPhone might not be too bad if you can get him the 8GB 3G for 100 bucks, though personally I'd opt for the 16gb 3GS for $200. The 3GS is way faster and has a few extra features that make the iPhone more complete. Basically, if you take all the complaints about the 3G and 99% of them, you have the 3GS. Those would be video, better quality camera, faster processor, voice command, and a few other small things.

Maybe with all this crap I convinced you to get one for yourself?

Does he have a game console? If he does, that may be a perfect starting point. You can buy him a few new games he might of mentioned, or if he's anything like my friends, you can buy him a new shiny controller or two (along with the games) - my friends go through controllers like crazy...

If he doesn't have a PS3, you can opt to get him the new PS3 slim. It's only 299 off amazon and has free shipping. He'd probably appreciate that. Kind of on the pricier side but it's a hell of a deal for what used to be $400 a week ago and was $600 when it came out.