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]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
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!