Well, here’s a hoot: I just called the SoftBank support line, and it seems I knew more about it than the operator did–she told me that the iPhone would be available “later this year,” and insisted that their web page had no press release. Even after I walked her through the process for reloading the web page, she claimed that she still did not see the updated press release. I had to read off the URL for the specific press release, and only then did she see it.

Talk about keeping it super-secret!

I can only guess that they didn’t anticipate immediate calls. I made my call only about ten minutes after they opened for the day–but still, I am very surprised that they were not already getting lots of calls on this.

Update: only a few minutes later, the gal at SoftBank called back. She was very nice, but she didn’t have any details beyond the press release (and not even that until I told her about it!). No pricing or anything else yet. Next call: the Apple Store. Not yet, though, as I have to get ready and go to work. And not that I expect them to have any more info on pricing….