We've been following rumors of this for a while now, but it's finally official: Wal-Mart will begin selling Apple's iPhone 3G starting this Sunday. The 8 gigabyte model will go for $197 and the 16GB at $297, with both requiring the consumer to purchase a two year cell phone service contract with AT&T. Notably missing is the rumored $99 4GB model.

This makes Wal-Mart the fourth official place to pick up an iPhone in the United States, after Apple, AT&T, and Best Buy stores. Since $2 cheaper isn't much of a change, the new Wal-Mart deal probably won't be a catalyst for you to purchase the phone.

What it does mean is that the phone is probably going to become a bit more ubiquitous, as its presence in Wal-Mart brings it to a new market of low-end consumers who don't frequent electronics boutiques and who have little or no experience with expensive Apple products. Own an iPhone and like the mystique and prestige? This might not be good news for you then; the Wal-Mart deal is a definitive sign that this product is for the masses, not the few!

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