iPhone multi-city lineblog

This is it, iDay. Nerds from coast to coast will be lining up at their local Apple and AT&T stores to snag what's essentially the most anticipated consumer electronics launch ever. So what else is there to do but live blog those lines in whichever cities we can? Check back throughout the day as the iJinx ensues in the final run-up to the iPhone.

Update: things are really heating up at The Cube, the store is being filled with iPhones, as seen above, and the line has started to move. Keep an eye on this post (after the break) for the latest.

Update 2: Here at last.

San Francisco Apple Store, 12:18AM PDT - Things are definitely starting to pick up from the last time we stopped by; we'd estimate there are somewhere between 40 and 50 people in line. We know it's iDay because there's a scary, sunglass-clad dude looking out at the line from inside the store.

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 10:30AM EDT - Hit the cube just a little after 8. There seemed to be a lot of commotion and we were worried that this might be full on chaos, but most of the fuss seems to be press related. The line starts with our main man Greg Packer at the cube, runs along the side on 58th, past FAO Schwarz, and wraps around the corner on Madison. We'd say there are no more than 200 or so people waiting (say hi to #144 in line, he doesn't bite). You would think the line would be filled with fanatics (and we're sure they're here), but two of the first people we talked to told us they've been forced to wait by their bosses (kind of like us). This isn't really a party (yet), and you definitely can feel how much of an Apple-created event this line is.

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 12:15PM EDT - Things remain largely unchanged, though roving reporters keep trying to interview us for their rags. There seems to be a lot "seat sellers" popping up, as the pictures can attest. One gentleman feels his spot is worth the astronomical price of $5000 -- we beg to differ (although he is throwing in a sweet chair).

AT&T store, Montague St. Brooklyn, 12:30PM EDT - We showed up here at 11:30AM and nabbed the 15th spot in line. A couple of people have lined up behind us, but it's not a mob scene by any means. When we called at 9AM there were only two people here, while a Wall St. store we called had 50 people.

San Francisco Apple Store, 9:32AM PDT - There's a lot more going on at the Downtown SF store than there was yesterday. The line is now reaching around the block, and the "clowns" from yesterday have set up a mini golf rig: and no, getting a hole-in-one doesn't get you an iPhone. A lady is coming round and making a list of all the people in the line, claiming that it's a "community building" project. Another guy walked down the line telling people that there's an AT&T store just a block away with no line: nice try.

AT&T Store, 16th and Ranstead Philadelphia, 11:30AM EDT - We weren't accosted by local reporters, eager for our no doubt insightful commentary on the iPhone, at the AT&T Store in Center City Philadelphia. They were too busy buzzing about the the city's mayor who had, unfortunately, taken off just before we got there. Instead, we accosted a local Comcast newsperson who said, "They went at him like I've never seen before." When Street had enough of the political heat, he got out of the kitchen line, sticking one of his aides in his place according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Without any Apple Stores in the City of Brotherly Love, it looks like this AT&T store is where the media is making its stand.

AT&T store, Montague St. Brooklyn, 12:42PM EDT - Some dude just drove by in a car shouting "iPhone sucks!" at everyone in line. Yes, but does Dumbledore die?

(Reader submitted) Farmington Apple Store, 1:03PM EDT - Waiting in line at the Apple Store in the WestFarms Mall in Farmington, CT. So far about 100 people here. I've got some pics on my blog. It's nice to be waiting in line in an air conditioned mall and not out on the street in the awful humidity here. Apple employees have been periodically passing out Glaceau Smart Water to us.

(This one was reader submitted by Carmine G, feel free to send you own lineblog experiences to us through the tips form)

AT&T store, Montague St. Brooklyn, 2:00PM EDT - Guy walks by. "All these people are waiting in line for a phone?" Other guy: "Yeah." Guy: "Is it a free phone?"

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 2PM EDT - Went into the store to get info on crowd control (and just pick up an iPhone real quick). Couldn't get any information, as all employees kept redirecting us to a mysterious figure known as "Steve" from "PR." According to sightings he was wearing a blue shirt and had "all the info." Then everyone got kicked out at 2 sharp so they could start the mayhem.

San Francisco Apple Store, 10:14AM PDT - A UPS truck pulls up to the end of the line and the driver yells: "I've got iPhones!" The people at the back of the line are nonplussed, with a Google employee sitting nearby shooting back: "No-one believes you!" That didn't stop his buddy from running off after the truck after it turned the corner towards the Apple Store though.

Stanford Shopping Center, 2:26PM PDT - We just hit the Apple mini-store down here -- the line's about 50 deep, and no one at the Apple store has any clue how many units they're getting (no surprise). Mall security told us no photos, but you all know how much we respect authority. Peep the shot above -- those were two (of three) of the hugest UPS delivery trucks we've ever seen. (Granted, we're assuming they also service the rest of this shopping center as well.)

Apple Store Tampa, 2:28EDT - They are only letting 20 people wait inside the International Plaza mall and it's a typical hot humid day in Florida (89 degrees with 70% humidity and to top it off the occasional rain cloud passes by sprinkling on us.) Every few minutes more and more people show up, but right now the count is about 60.

Apple Store Sagemore, Marlton, NJ, 2:30PM EDT - At the Sagemore Apple Store in South Jersey -- the closest Apple Store to downtown Philadelphia -- a sedate crowd of 65 and counting are waiting peacefully for their iPhones. Scott, who's been in line since 1:30 yesterday afternoon, has already faced reporters from the three major news outlets and was keeping up-to-date on iPhone news reading Engadget on his EV-DO-enabled Treo. The store closed at 2pm -- upsetting one shopper looking to fix her son's iPod -- and began covering the giant glass storefront with a black shroud, effortlessly blocking the gaze of the iPilgrims. One shopper walked by and commented, "Y'alls a bunch of major nerds." Yes, we know. Thank you.

(Reader submitted) Roosevelt Field Apple Store, 2:50EDT - Black curtains are popping up all over! Thanks Jacob!

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 2:58PMEDT - Pictured above: the box in which three jokers are hoping to get $600 in handouts while they wait in line, and a very nice looking couple at the very, very end of the line. The mood now is really the calm before the storm. According to an Apple employee (who may or not know what he's talking about) plans are being laid as we speak concerning crowd control and the method of getting people into the store. The line is around 400 strong, by best estimates. So far no wristbands, no numbers, and no clear sense that anyone really knows what the deal is. Although, we're pretty sure Steve from PR will have answers.

Valley Fair Apple Store, 12:50PM PDT - The line here's pretty deep -- runs around the corner, into a huge area, and then outside into the street, next to where the huge UPS truck is parked. The Woz is here! (Believe it or not, he's #1 in line.) We'll be chatting it up with him shortly.

Two ladies walked by behind us, maybe in their early 40s, and yelled "Freaks!" Damn, live under a rock?

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 4:17PM EDT - Here you go folks, pics of some store unpacking, and the angry Apple employee waving us away! They've also set up a zig zagging path leading to the entrance of the Cube, clearly to bottleneck the throngs.

And here they are on display ya'll.

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 4:31PM EDT - The line has started to move! Probably just to fill up that zig zag we were talking about, but exciting nonetheless.

4:39PM EDT - Everyone is on their feet now. We just got clicked (counted) and moved on closer to the entrance.

Palo Alto Apple Store, 1:47PM PDT - Tons of people in line -- it wraps around the corner and flows all the way around the block. Scoble and his son are #1 and 2.

We hit the very tail end of the line all the way down at Lytton Street when a car drove up, five people inside. They all stuck their real iPhones out the window and laid on the horn, hooting like only Apple nerds can. We tried to flag them down but they took off -- just for that we're not blurring out their vanity license plate. Thankfully no riot ensued after the multi-iPhone sighting, the nerds in line were all too rapt with their laptops and staring off into space dreaming of their new iDevice.

Naturally, we had to stop over at the Helio store across the street from the Palo Alto Apple shop. It was entirely empty, and we were greeted by a relatively grumpy salesman holding an Ocean, who was happy to start bemoaning the Apple launch and mention that once everyone gets in and plays with an iPhone, they'll immediately come to their senses and run over to Helio. "Besides, it's a first gen Apple product, and we all know what that means." Of course, we had to set him straight: "Yes, but that Ocean a first generation Helio product, too." "I guess, but this is a one of a kind -- Apple will make many versions of the iPhone." Wait, huh?

San Francisco Apple Store, 14:39AM PDT - The Apple Store in SF is all closed up now, with the black paper covering up the front of the store. We just managed to sneak a shot of an Apple Store employee with an Incredibles T-shirt: we don't think that means Apple is planning a promotional iPhone just yet. It's getting a little chaotic, and the clowns screaming in the background aren't helping.

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 5:51PM EDT - They're starting to let people in the door!

Apple Store Sagemore, Marlton, NJ, 5:40PM EDT - The black curtains are off and, oh my, what's that? It's some sort of iPod, cell phone combination! Both sides of the entrance are now home to two giant iPhone displays with one counting down (20 minutes and counting), the other going through the iPhone's myriad functionalities (wait, it's also a breakthrough internet communicator?). The store appears to have thousands of black-shirted employees milling about inside, ostensibly struggling to keep their mitts off the new table covered in iPhones while the crowd outside is instructed to make an orderly line -- yes, that includes you iPhone placard guy.

Chicago Apple Store, 4:43PM CDT - True to the Chicago spirit, a minor street festival has erupted around the Michigan Avenue Apple Store -- there are hot dog vendors, guys with grills, beer, and lots of totally confused people milling around saying things like "So it's a phone?" Apple has been keeping the 300 person line satiated with free water, Starbucks, and doughnuts, but the funniest thing has got to be the break in the line at Erie Street, which separates the B-list nerds from the rest of the pack.

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 5:57PM EDT - Maybe false alarm, hard to tell, the news crews are freaking out -- cops are working serious crowd control.

Apple Store Tampa, 5:40 EDT -With only 20 minutes to go the line is moving and Apple employees are thanking us for waiting. It won't be long now.

AT&T store, Montague St. Brooklyn, 6:00PM EDT - Store employees got us on our feet and counted, but nobody is being let in.

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 6:00PM EDT - It's on and moving fast

AT&T store, Montague St. Brooklyn, 6:02PM EDT - They're letting the first person in right now!

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 6:10PM EDT - We're at the front of the line now, about to go in. People are already coming out of the store with iPhones in hand.

Apple Store Tampa, 6:07 EDT - Nick from Boy Genius was the first to score one here.

Apple Store Sagemore, Marlton, NJ, 5:40PM EDT - After counting down the final seconds, the doors flung open to the sound of applause as the first twenty iPilgrims were allowed in. What seemed like less than a minute later, Scott (remember, he was the first guy in line) emerged triumphant, two new iPhones in hand. He immediately tore into one with the inquisitive eye of the local Fox affiliate watching on. Sure enough, the tiny packaging concealed an iPhone right on top which he held up as the crowd cheered. As each transaction is completed and the weary campers emerge with their prize, the employees cheer while passersby shake their heads. "All this for a phone?"

AT&T store, Montague St. Brooklyn, 6:22PM EDT - First person in line has been in there 20 minutes, nobody knows what's wrong, apparently it's something to do with processing the order. Everyone is getting pretty antsy here.

The Cube, 5th Ave. NYC, 6:27PM EDT - We're in and we have an iPhone. Unboxing pics on the way.

AT&T store, Montague St. Brooklyn, 6:30PM EDT - First guy just finished buy his, he's walking out.

AT&T store, Montague St. Brooklyn, 6:37PM EDT - AT&T Computers are down here! Overwhelmed with transaction volume.

Stanford Shopping Center, 6:00PM PDT - Apple mini-store is open and people are on there way in.

Previous line coverage:
iPhone madness hit or miss in Chicago
Not much going on at San Fran's Apple Store
iLoser retains place in line, crisis averted
First iPhone camper smelled at Apple's 5th Ave store

[Grant @ Jun 29th 2007 11:04AM]

*sigh* at Engadget.

Shouldn't this entire tripe be at Engadget Mobile anyway?

[Jeff Lewis @ Jun 29th 2007 6:00PM]

Oh come on now - it's *their* day and we all know how much the Engadget crew loves their Apple products. We can go back to trying to instill a note of sanity tomorrow. :)

[Todd @ Jun 29th 2007 11:01AM]

OK, if there ever was a day to tap into the AOL resources, today is it. Let see some LIVE video reporting from these locations, which I know is expensive to do, but AOL has got the juice.

I want to see Mr. Block doing the whole Edison Carter "Live and Direct" thing from whatever Apple store he is near by, and the other Engadget writers too!

[Ryan Block @ Jun 29th 2007 11:24AM]

You've obviously never worked for AOL before.

[Ellianth @ Jun 29th 2007 11:34AM]

@ryan - lol. That sounds like a slap at the company. Won't they fire you for that? I heard someone got fired for less at Joystiq. All he did was obey Nintendo's 'Don't post this till midnight' note. Well he kinda said it was big news, and there was an angry mob, but still... far less :P.

[Ryan Block @ Jun 29th 2007 1:42PM]

No, he was fired because he did not follow our editorial guidelines and was generally not at all beneficial to the team, he didn't disparage his employer until AFTER he left. I don't anticipated I'll be fired from AOL -- I'm the guy they picked to run their flagship technology publication, after all.

[rodney @ Jun 29th 2007 11:25PM]

hell, my store still has 8 of the 8gb left in stock at closing tonight!!!!

[EMI @ Jun 30th 2007 9:31AM]

vrem si noi :D

[W00t @ Jun 29th 2007 11:03AM]

I got mine yesterday. It's not that cool.

[Robby Stanley @ Jun 29th 2007 11:05AM]

What line?? I live 40 Miles south of Apple head quarters and the local ATT store has no line at all at 8am in the morning. I have a called a few friends and they went by their ATT local store in the Bay area and guess what no line. Is the only hype at the Apple Stores? Hey do not get me wrong I will be in line later today if there is ones but is the hype over done?? Good thing my office is only a few blocks away from the store so I can get some work done.

[David @ Jun 29th 2007 12:56PM]

Seriously, I live like...20 blocks away from 1 Infinite, and everything is quiet. I guess that not many people know there's a Store inside the HQ.

[Wii man @ Jun 29th 2007 11:11AM]

Just North of Chicago and no lines here either.

[Jordan McFurber @ Jun 29th 2007 11:13AM]

"most anticipated consumer electronics launch ever"

errrr.... 360, ps3, wii.
i STILL cant get a wii, and there were thousands (literally about 1000, including me) waiting outside circuit city before ps3 launched

[arthur barnhouse @ Jun 29th 2007 11:45AM]

Ah, it's launch day. Let them have their hyperbole.

[Jamar @ Jun 29th 2007 12:06PM]

"i STILL can't get a wii"
Well, I live in China, somewhere the Wii isn't even released yet, but somehow no gaming shop I went to was out of Wiis. Probably has something to do with the fact that they're made here... not that I'm complaining (probably it involved diverting some of the international-bound shipments for local stores and some greasing of palms here and there but it got me a Wii, I'd be downright hypocritical to complain).

So if you want one, come to China- they're everywhere *and* they're pre-modded for convenience.

[Mile @ Jun 29th 2007 1:32PM]

Whatever, Jamar - if that is your real name.

Fact is that the Wii is still hard to get here in the USA. As soon as a Target or a Walmart does get some, they're gone.

[Ballbuster McCracken @ Jun 29th 2007 3:59PM]

uhm, do these people waiting in line have jobs? no pun intended....

[Oracle @ Jun 29th 2007 11:18AM]

It is no surprise to me that there are people lining up. Marketing was done pretty good by Apple period. The question now goes to, how many of these iphone would ended up be on ebay?

[GalaXy @ Jun 29th 2007 2:56PM]

I'd say, a lot. If I had the money to burn, that would probably be what I would do with it, assuming the phone has issues staying on shelves, which I suppose we'll all figure out later.

[chris @ Jun 29th 2007 11:19AM]

Seriously? It's a phone people!? Not a video game console or something you can play with for hours on end. I bet people load their songs, call their friends, and then visit their local starbucks, before coming to the conclusion that its just a phone!!!! Those same people will then try taking it to the bar or club so they can use it in front of other people to try and look cool. Only when the hype fades will they realize what a giant douche they were for paying $500 for a cell phone and an mp3 player.

[Ellianth @ Jun 29th 2007 11:32AM]

*correction*

When they take it to somewhere crowded like the club, they'll get beat up and have it stolen, by someone who thinks it's cool.

[betapaul @ Jun 29th 2007 2:27PM]

Your first sentence said it was "just a phone." Your last sentence said "phone and mp3 player". If you'd have kept ranting and thinking you'd realize it's more than just those two things. The Razor was $500-$600 when it came out and, as trash, it sold just fine. Go to sleep.

[Lucas Ferreira @ Jun 29th 2007 12:25PM]

Being iPhone amazing or not, can someone tell me the name of a company which wouldn't do everything to have their customers camping outside the stores to by their products?
There's no point. Apple got it.

[mikeboston @ Jun 29th 2007 11:25AM]

I'm one of the biggest apple fanboys you can ever meet and I think this thing is way overhyped. The whole: "most anticipated consumer electronics launch ever" is BS. I dont think that there are going to be that many people going crazy for this after the initial launch. The hardcore fanboys are in line right now. After that it's going to be nothing. Maybe if it were priced like other phones it would get into everyone's hands but not at 500 and 600. When it comes down to it, this is a phone with a pretty screen.

[Mike I @ Jun 29th 2007 12:52PM]

Actually, with the people and friends who I've spoken to, it's the non-fanboys that are waiting in line and are most excited about the iPhone.

Most Apple fans, like you and I, are too ticked off at Apple for spending so much time on the iPhone and not enough time on Leopard to be excited about the iPhone.

[gregneedham @ Jun 29th 2007 1:13PM]

Yeah, maybe. Except I paid $399 for an iPod when the 40gb came out, and I sure would have paid another couple hundred bucks for a phone built-in. And gladly paid the monthly AT&T cost...I pay that already to Cing/ATT...

[rp @ Jun 29th 2007 3:10PM]

@Mike

Actually, most real (read: long time) Apple people don't care much about the Leopard delay. They realize that it doesn't make a big difference in the long run, as 10.4 is just fine. They've been through the various upgrades before and were not really that impressed. They understand that fancy GUI does not make much of a difference in their productivity.

On a side note, I rode by the San Diego Fashion Valley Mall, home to one Apple store in San Diego at 12:30 am last night, and although they had ropes up extending out to the parking lot (which is, I dunno, 500 feet?), there was no one in line, although people seemed to be walking over to the store from the movie theatre just to check it out out of interest. My girl rode by at 10am (she didn't actually go into the mall like I did last night, it's an outdoor mall by the way) and she said she couldn't see anyone in line. That doesn't mean they aren't there because they had the line wrapping around a wall about 100 feet from the store, but not as many as they expected I guess! Then again, it's only 12.

[Josef F @ Jun 29th 2007 11:24AM]

I hope all those people waiting in line are wearing their matching jumpsuits and sneakers. And remember, when you get your Kool-Aid...gulp, don't sip.

[Jan @ Jun 29th 2007 11:28AM]

I don't think the launch is going to be all that big. The hype has been HUGE, yet the launch won't be all that big. So far, none of the photos I've seen on-line seem to show more than a few people in line, except maybe in NY and San Fran.

[Le Master @ Jun 29th 2007 11:27AM]

Are you kidding me engadget? The hype for this phone doesn't make a pimple on the ass of the hype for gaming consoles such as the Wii, PS3, XBox 360, N64, hell even the Dreamcast.

[dan @ Jun 29th 2007 11:30AM]

I sincerely hope this thing flops for Apple...
Sadly a whole bunch of apple lovers will buy this even if they cannot afford/make use of its features.

[A. @ Jun 29th 2007 2:33PM]

Every ATT plan enables you to use all the features of the devise, and since you can't use it (even iPod features) without activating it.

[Gary Peat @ Jun 29th 2007 11:42AM]

Just let it rest already. No mobile computer has EVER had this level of interest. I keep reading that iPhone is not revolutionary. Apple did not invent the MP3 player. I suppose then that the iPod was not revolutionary? I have seen the surveys, only about 15% of respondents say they will buy the iPhone. The US market is about what 200 million cell phone units per year market? So, that 15% is about 30 million per year, IN THE US ALONE. If it is not a revolution, then I say to those who think it is not, take up arms and oppose the iPhone revolution. But beware of the fly swatter in your hand, as it opposes a Transformer in the name of iPhone.

Credit where credit is due. Credit this war an Apple victory. Not a shot was fired, and Jobs pulled a Ghandi. The enemy vanquished.

[joe @ Jun 29th 2007 12:22PM]

Good lord. Jobs = Ghandi? You write like you're on iAcid.

Phones are difficult to use while driving. People still use phones while driving. The iPhone is impossible to dial while driving; it has no voice command.

It's a nice iPod-- probably the best yet made. But as a phone, Jobs is leaving out many basics that typical consumers demand.

I'd buy one, but no voice command + AT&T's cruddy service = no sale for me.

Eat up Martha.

[Paul Holstein @ Jun 29th 2007 3:35PM]

Here are the deal breakers for me:

1) Doesn't sync with MS Exchange. Yes, it will pull e-mails, but not sync them. No syncing contacts, notes or calendar either over the air.
2) No voice dialing. Without a tactile keyboard, this is a no go for me. I can't drive and type on glass. If you have to dial and drive, bluetooth and voice dialing are the safest way to go.
3) Edge data only. Yes that's fine for e-mail, but not for web browsing.
4) ATT / Cingular only. I'm on a t-mobile family plan. I can't switch everyone over.
5) No slingbox. I'll bet I get more Oohs and Aahs from watching my TV on my t-mobile mda than anyone will ever get on the iphone.
6) No Zagat guides on the iphone. I love Zagat. My wife and I have plenty of alternatives for dinner.
7) No GPS. I know that few others have it either, but my next phone will have a built in GPS.

Otherwise, I'd love to get an iphone. I'm actually considering buying it for my wife just so I can play with it. However, for me, I can't get past the limitations.

[DJBro @ Jun 29th 2007 6:05PM]

@Paul: I have a feeling iPhone will have Zagat as a downloadable app very soon, as AT&T itself has partnered with Zagat very recently.

[iPhlop @ Jun 29th 2007 11:41AM]

Sure I'll probably get one of these, at least the 2nd gen w/ 3g they are announcing this Monday (remember SJ originally said the chips werent available during development, so it has nothing to do with battery), but I gotta wonder bout you feeding the hype Engadget. I'm north of Chicago and there are no lines yet at the ATT stores. Seeing as how it looks like demand isn't as high as the media is making it out to be, I might stroll in sometime around 8 and check one of these out, maybe string along the pitiful salesman who just saw his dreams of a commission filled evening crushed, just for fun. Then I'll wait for the discounts to start as they try to get rid of the rest of the phones left after they cant give any more away to apple employees. Wait for the new batch to come out, and the price to be slashed, then I'll think about it.

[I.M.Yerpappy @ Jun 29th 2007 12:03PM]

Like Apple gives an eff about non-buyers. Besides, trained salesmen can usually sniff out "so-called" potential customers with empty pockets. One deep breath is all it takes.

[Mile @ Jun 29th 2007 1:42PM]

Disagree Imurpappy or whatever your name is.

Some of these sales peeps are being brought in just for this. Even the old timers are convinced that everyone who walks through the door is head over heels about the iphoNe.

I believe that iPhlop will have no trouble strining them along and along and along. He should youtube it!

[Pat @ Jun 29th 2007 11:42AM]

Such a strange product to be hyped so huge. Obviously xbox 360, PS3, Wii, etc. are pure entertainment, making the hype last. People were coming over to my house just to see/play with my 360 months after it had been released.

As soon as apple stores blow up at 6 tonight what's going to keep the hype rolling. A friend will get one, we'll all fiddle with it for 15 min., then realize it's a phone with cool useability. Even the entertainment part of it (ipod) hasn't really changed at all from what I have now. I know I'd still want to be out there in line if I weren't sitting at this desk right now, but that's just me. How many of us die hard gadget people are there really?

Either way, tip of that hat to jobs-o for creating this sensation.

[Pete @ Jun 29th 2007 11:45AM]

@Jordan McFurber
Haha who has a PS3 ;)

But really, not trolling, most stores around me have a plentiful supply of PS3s all the time, nowhere near the demand for the Wii.

[Jordan McFurber @ Jun 29th 2007 12:46PM]

i actually didnt end up getting a ps3 at launch, it was crazy. i now have 2 ps3s, 1 wii, and 1 360.
the point is that this really is not the "most anticipated consumer electronics launch ever" by a long shot. people were anticipating the ps3 HARDCORE, dozens of people lined up over a week in advance in new york. while these apple lines seem to be decently sized, the ps3 lines (at least in the tristate area) were wayyyy wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy bigger. my local apple store has about 20 people waiting right now at about 1pm - most anticipated? i think not.

[Rick @ Jun 29th 2007 11:50AM]

iPhone is detined to fail. It doesn't follow the clearly successful UMPC model. Apple, what are you thinking? A computer that fits in your pocket with more than 2 hrs of battery life? No, way. People want bricks. And pockets the size of Delaware. No sale, Apple. You lose.

[Ellianth @ Jun 29th 2007 11:55AM]

Where to start? People want pocket computers that can run applications. So yeah it is 'detined' to fail.

And for those of you who couldn't tell. He was praising the iphone.

[Silvio @ Jun 29th 2007 11:49AM]

Sleeping in the streets, living like a homeless, begging for water, being unable to wash and paying $600 for the priviledge. Apple created here a unique customer experience!

[Mikey @ Jun 29th 2007 11:51AM]

my att corp store has a line of 7 people. Im not saying what city, because im selfish.

[Rick @ Jun 29th 2007 12:01PM]

People have opinions. Therefore is iPhone is destined to .

[mike @ Jun 29th 2007 12:07PM]

40-ish people in line at the Perimeter Mall Apple Store in Atlanta, GA. The Apple folk are giving out Smart water.

[harpreet @ Jun 29th 2007 12:11PM]

good that these guys are waiting....i m pretty sure that apple may intentionally produce less number of iphones than expected to meet the demand so that it fuels the hype created so far

[Jordan McFurber @ Jun 29th 2007 12:52PM]

i disagree COMPLETELY. that seems to be what they are doing with the wii.

it seems to me that jobs noticed that when there are major launches, people line up in groves and the demand always exceeds supply, so he is stocking the stores really really well so that everyone who wants one at launch is going to get one.

the few people that have actually disclosed information to me over the phone have said they are getting hundreds of units per store. thats a lot. thats a whole lot.