If I were to get a new 3GS tomorrow would it need tethered booting?

[celadoris]

If I were to go to the apple store and swap out my current 3GS would I be out of luck?

Tethered jailbreaks [iPhone Dev Team]

[one1]

Now how the hell is anyone going to answer that without seeing what the iboot is on the phone? .....seriously, think.

I've seen stores sit on backstock for a week or a month or more. Until the time comes they grab the phone from the pile and give it to you unless you are part of the physic friends networks you aren't gonna have a way to know.

[celadoris]

Well have there been any reports of 3GSs shipping like that lately?

[Melech518]

You didnt ask if they were shipping now did you? You asked if you went to the store to buy one... If you order one then you most definitely will receive one with the newer bootrom. If you plainly walk into the Apple store, well, read what One1 said!