iPhone line forms at Apple's flagship for absolutely no reason

So word on the street (literally) is that a large number of people are queuing in line outside of Apple's flagship store on 5th Avenue in New York City (see above) -- keep in mind the Cube is open 24 hours a day. Our intrepid girl-on-the-scene reports that the group is more than 60-deep, though most people seem confused about what they're waiting for, while some believe they're actually camping out for a 3G iPhone. Meanwhile, Apple reps tell us they're crowd-controlling iPhone buyers because otherwise they would be "screaming" at employees and clogging up the store. See what happens when you get short on stock? More pics after the break.

Update: For those of you convinced this is an Improv Everywhere stunt, here's a post from Charlie Todd -- the group's founder -- denying involvement.

[Thanks, Laura and Abiade]

[OSnix*-geek @ May 22nd 2008 12:39PM]

And the insanity begins.

I on the other hand am glad I only paid less for 2 iphone gen1's than these crazy people will pay for one 3g iphone.

[Kris @ May 22nd 2008 12:46PM]

That's insane! The rumors say the 3G iPhone will be ... $199 or $299 (I forget which). So you paid either $50 or $100 per iPhone? Good deal. My iPod Touch cost more than that!

[Esat Dedezade @ May 22nd 2008 12:51PM]

I know this is the second time today, but dammit, it's the best way to express my feelings:

facepalm.jpg

[quasimoto @ May 22nd 2008 1:15PM]

It's Improv Everywhere. A friend who participated tipped me about it.

[JJV @ May 22nd 2008 1:15PM]

Out of curiosity how do you have a live photo?
Is it a photo that updates itself constantly, basically making it a video? or time lapse photography?
=)

[Zed @ May 22nd 2008 1:16PM]

i have, 3, iphones.

[iEye @ May 22nd 2008 1:27PM]

The Police should give them all tickets for loitering... stupid
hippies...
Where is Richard Nixon when you need him?

First!

[phanbouy @ May 22nd 2008 1:40PM]

zed, has lots, of commas,

[Tony @ May 22nd 2008 1:49PM]

I, don't think, you get, Zed's joke.

It wasn't even a good joke though, so I don't blame you.

[luis @ May 22nd 2008 2:15PM]

May be they have refurb 2G iPhones

[Eric @ May 22nd 2008 2:48PM]

Zed had, a, Joke?

[Ryan @ May 22nd 2008 2:54PM]

funny thing is, when i first read this the first thought in my head was 'improv everywhere' good stuff!

[Reid @ May 22nd 2008 3:35PM]

that's hilarious

[OneLove @ May 22nd 2008 4:11PM]

Someone must have pressed the recall button from the Apple mothership. Pesky robots.

[Stranger @ May 22nd 2008 5:39PM]

For those ranking Zed low, I think he was refering to the infamous "3 Playstation One" auction on eBay where one guy was selling three PS ONE during the worst PS3 hype with the intention of fooling someone that he in fact had a ONE PS3..

And as such, I believe it was a quite fun joke. :-]

[albert @ May 23rd 2008 1:18PM]

is, there, still a line, out there?

[Dan @ May 25th 2008 10:42PM]

Kris sez "The rumors say the 3G iPhone will be ... $199 or $299 (I forget which). So you paid either $50 or $100 per iPhone?"

I may just be me, but isn't your math WAY off? Two iPhones at those prices would equate to $100/$200. Your pricing would make his iPhones cost $100/$175 per, no?

Like I said, I may be wrong because I'm tired and this seems too dumb of a mistake for anybody to make twice (but then again, look at the US). His sentence structure didn't help much either.

[EricR @ May 22nd 2008 12:40PM]

Their faith is admirable.. too bad it is just a phone...or something.

[BrianB @ May 22nd 2008 1:36PM]

Its some marketing scheme from Apple I'm sure. Did anyone interview these queuers?

[Zach @ May 22nd 2008 2:20PM]

I would not want to read an interview of these queers...I mean queuers.

[Rich @ May 22nd 2008 2:49PM]

EricR:
What are you trying to say? That people SHOULDN'T let a box of wires define their life?

That's crazy talk...

[riggs @ May 22nd 2008 2:51PM]

you mispelled queers.

(and yes i know he didnt)

[duxxyuk @ May 23rd 2008 3:07AM]

I agree... It's just a phone for crying out loud !

[Scott @ May 22nd 2008 12:40PM]

it might be that group ImprovEverywhere.

They're such awesome troublemakers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo

[TRU3L3GEND @ May 22nd 2008 12:43PM]

Thats what I was thinking, I bet its them

[Matt @ May 22nd 2008 1:37PM]

Thought the same thing

[CraigJ @ May 22nd 2008 1:43PM]

The real tell is that the fat guy from the original line isn't there...

[Lou @ May 22nd 2008 2:35PM]

I don't think it's Improv Everywhere. I'm on the agent list and the last event they did was last friday.

Maybe some other group?

[bobartig @ May 22nd 2008 2:44PM]

The bad thing about improv Everywhere for the GM plaza store is that during, and directly following their shenanigans, Apple would lose tens of thousands of dollars due to shop lifting, and some of it would be customer property.

Apple Stores are constantly patrolled by shoplifters, especially flagship stores, because they contain so much easily hock-able hardware. Thieves don't care if its Apple's iPod, or your MacBook if they're looking to sell it on the corner.

Yes, I've seen shoplifters go after customer property, both successfully and unsuccessfully. They are opportunistic and will strike at a moment's notice. An Improv Everywhere event would basically be Christmas for them.

[jt-engadget @ May 22nd 2008 3:20PM]

That's why I buy a proper serviceable laptop, and service it myself, instead of trusting it to some Apple service department.

[Toby @ May 28th 2008 11:45PM]

You can service a Mac laptop yourself, just don't be such wuss! Anyone with a passion for working on their own equips would have much more fun with a Mac anyway. I work at a computer repair shop and I always call dibs when Mac lappies come in. I'd rather spend the extra 5 minutes taking out my MacBook Pro hard drive than having an ugly ass Dell.

[sinai @ May 22nd 2008 12:41PM]

same reason flashmobbers do it, they're pretentious low-lives with no jobs and nothing better to do than try to appear better than everyone else.

[Nick @ May 22nd 2008 1:00PM]

Wow, someone swallowed the bitter pill with their breakfast this morning

[clak @ May 22nd 2008 1:13PM]

Actually, Sinai, I sent my butler to wait in line instead. So there.


We are the Time-Haters. We've traveled back in time... to call you a cracker—Silky Johnson, Time Haters, Chappelle's Show, 2004

[Kiwi616 @ May 22nd 2008 12:43PM]

Well at least Gary is not the first one this time :)

[ars_workerbee @ May 22nd 2008 1:56PM]

oh god, the guy that was first in line for that store opening was a twat.

(i was 4th)

[rock99rock @ May 22nd 2008 4:41PM]

In death, members of project iphone have a name. His name was Gary.


His name, was Gary.

His name, was Gary.

[Najakwa @ May 22nd 2008 12:44PM]

group think. roped off entrances and future 3g iphones make me go something something.

[Patrick @ May 22nd 2008 12:49PM]

... go crazy?

[jared @ May 22nd 2008 12:52PM]

don't mind if i do!

[Derry Quinn @ May 22nd 2008 1:37PM]

AHAHAHA Love it!

[clak @ May 22nd 2008 12:44PM]

I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of Microsoft Fanboys suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened. Did Apple release the 3G phone today?


Oh do pay attention 007. In the wrong hands, this Dual 3.2Ghz Quad-Core Mac Pro could be very dangerous

[Low Ranked @ May 22nd 2008 12:47PM]

Why would Microsoft fanboys cry out in terror, and for what?

Microsoft isn't in the phone market other than its WinMo OS.

[Esat Dedezade @ May 22nd 2008 12:52PM]

Mega.

Mega fail.

[Lein @ May 22nd 2008 1:02PM]

What should I be crying out about, again? I've had 3G, GPS (via bluetooth or more recently, integrated,) ActiveSync (or equivalent to the tech being built in to the next iPhone software milestone,) and third-party applications for YEARS.

[The 3rd Hot Dog @ May 22nd 2008 1:05PM]

I'm sorry that you couldn't find a better topic in which to shoehorn your Star Wars quote.

[Fragmit @ May 22nd 2008 1:16PM]

http://clank.justgotowned.com

[Fragmit @ May 22nd 2008 1:25PM]

http://fragmitcantspellclakproperlysofragmit.justgotowned.com

[clak @ May 22nd 2008 1:41PM]

ROTFLWHMSWMGATOTIJTPOTMF

(Rolling On The Floor Laughing While Having Monkey Sex With My Girlfriend And Talking On Two iPhones Just To Piss Off The Microsoft Fanboys)


Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis

[Wii60Warrior @ May 22nd 2008 1:44PM]

Don't worry clak. I laughed my ass off...

God I can't wait to see whats in this phone!