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]
posted May 22nd 2008 12:35PM
claro = pinche.
:-P
oh lord, here we go. the 3g iphone is going to be the bomb diggity! I am sure it will blow the crackberry bold clear out of the water! Apple needs to supply people at all times and not stop when they have a new product coming out. why not keep it going, more money for them. I guess they don't have to be greedy.
Are we sure this isn't Improv Everywhere?
That's hilarious!! they'd best learn from nintendo's mistakes for a bit? What'd be wrong with trying to flog the old models at lower prices for a bit after the 3g model launches?
Wankers.
"most people seem confused about what they're waiting for"
wouldn't it have been a good idea to ask your 'girl-on-the-scene' to stop taking pictures and just ask one of the people in the queue?
Or were you worried the answer would be just "I dunno, I just saw someone else queuing and thought something cool must be happening"
DUH.
i think it;s improv-everywhere
@bobartig Whether or not this is an Improv Everywhere event, where do we get off shirking personal responsibility? People need to watch their stuff. It sucks that people steal, but that means I have to watch my own belongings when I leave my house. If GM Plaza doesn't like all of these people there for no reason, ask them to leave. Regulate the number of people in the store at any given time. I've been to the Apple Store on Fifth Ave. It gets packed enough without groups of people wanting to get in. Additionally, with this weekend being a both a long weekend (Memorial Day) and a popular travel weekend in the U.S., I think it would be a safe bet that both GM Plaza and the Apple Store have extra security.
It's funny to me that random people, not a part of the group doing this, would get in line, too. I usually know what I'm getting in a line for, or I'll ask.
I find there aren't too many oddities in the world that can't be explained by the simple phrase: "People are dumb."
Someone has a theory;
http://dvice.com/archives/2008/05/mystery_lineup.php
Not gonna lie, but they aren't waiting for a 3G iPhone. I used to work at that store up until about 2 weeks ago and we would get people waiting outside or around the staircase for hours at a time just waiting for any iPhone stock to come in. They're mostly tourists from Europe or South America and they come to the US because it's a lot cheaper to buy the phone in the US and then unlock it. This isn't the 3G iPhone you're looking for, move along.
Who said you'd be lying?
That's a strange way to start a sentence?
Do you typically lie in general conversation?
I got 3, 3G iphones.
You guys are stupid, that store always has a line forming because its in one of the busiest areas in the city.
This is "featured" news? Must be a slow news day.
oh please enough of these overused nauseating "slow news day" comments.
Spammers love delicious, nutritious spam: ajmck@aol.com
Yup
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9950713-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5
I think people are waiting to get an iPhone to send to Cuba since US gov't just remove cell phone restrictions to Cuba.
People come on still getting crazy over an iPhone!!!!
Don't worry me too thats normal!!!
In these photos there's someone at the front of the line who really looks like he's ready to stay for the duration with a lawn chair with maybe a sack of food and clothing.
http://www.methodshop.com/2008/05/iphone-lines-already.shtml
Now that's some fan loyalty. Either that or he's homeless.
Those are the most stupidest group of people i've seen. Waiting for something that is not going to be out until 1 or 2 weeks from now. well good luck for whoever is going to join the crowd.
I noticed a line at the SOHO store this morning around 10am. The odd thing was, it was mostly elderly asian people, so i figured there must be some asian performance or speaker in the auditorium. So random...
'Yes Nomi, clearly it is when you feel compelled to reply to every comment I make.'
Zak, take a seat and be quiet, you hypocrite. How many times have *you* replied to my comments, hmm?
ImprovAnywhere? They do these kinds of things throughout the city, just to see how people react to it. Google them and check out there site to see there nearly 100 stunts.
People were waiting in line, and most didn't know why? Obviously, Steve Jobs was in the store's basement, testing his upgraded reality distortion field.
Or sunspots. It's always sunspots.
Last week I went to go visit a friend who works at that store. As soon as I walked down the stairs there were about a hundred asian people standing around waiting. I asked my friend what the deal was, and they said they have problems with people from Chinatown who literally swarm the store and wait until they get phones. I asked why the manager doesn't just kick them out since they're just loitering... I guess they finally got fed up.
The term is called crowd shaping. There's a few companys that i have worked with before when opening new businesses and you call them to book a date and they will send people to cue and promote interest in what your opening or selling. Works very well and Apple is no stranger to this. Guess someone got the dates messed up.
Pure comedy would be forming a line in front of a Sprint store. I mean, who would want anything from a Sprint store.
Mac Users, so quick to prove they are sheep.
@clak I highly doubt your having monkey sex with a girl posting star wars comments. monkey sex with a blow up doll maybe...
I guess plastic can be just as good as the real thing !!!
Im waiting for the next version of the iPhone to be announced. I've heard a few things about the current one which means it's not up to much.
Also as a musician ( http://www.ambientmusicgarden.com ) I'm real keen on hearing about the little music apps that are starting to appear for it.
I would queue all day for a music studio in an iphone!! :O)
iPhone is quite impressing in China. But no carrier launch this product unforchnately.
Fantastic piece of news!
Will we be getting updates about queues at other stores, or is this just an Apple thing?
That's right lemmings, line up for your turtle-necked god
I am here and not in line;
I am here and feeling fine,
Relative, that is, to
What's mine is mine:
Green eggs and ham,
so said the sign
And I, with a smile, said
"How divine!"
I would not want to read an interview of these queers...I mean queuers.
Just like in the former Soviet Union, people queued up at the slightest hint of some consumer product being in stock. You saw a queue forming, you just got in and then asked someone what was available (shoes, bread, whatever).
I wish I were a non-conformist, just like all my friends.
Ah, more proof that most Apple fans are moron
Me: "Why are you in this line?"
Fan: "I don't know, but it must be for somethin' shiny, and thats all that matters to me!!!"
Aww, leave them alone. They're just a lovable bunch of geeks blessed with lots of time on their hands. Geek On!
yes there are many mactards out there, but seriously, are people going to line up for another iphone when last time people who waited days, even weeks, could have gone the next day (or in some cases that night) and gotten one without more than a 10 second checkout
One question what dubs the Iphone as a smartphone. I realize it has that magical Safari browser I've used Iphones and I like them. But all they have other than what any regular phone has that is "smartphone-like" is the Safari Browser. Sure it plays music in a cool interface but do the Sony Ericssons. Personally I think Symbian is the best mobile os. But I would choose Windows Mobile for the same reason why I choose Windows over Linux. More software. When it comes to homebrew I've seen lots more for Symbian than Windows but mainstream wise Windows wins. Iphone on the other hand hardly has apps seldom free ones that are useful. Like I said other than being so ugly at any other view than the front I think the Iphone is a great but I don't believe it deserves to be dubbed a smartphone. Other than the Safari browser it is just your ordinary phone with a nice browser and a touchscreen. So Safari and the few ability to install apps (which there are very few of) make it a smartphone. I don't think this ranks very high in the standards that have already been set. I think it will go through a phase just like the razr did and then everyone will come to there senses.
And just to help out anyone who will probably want to put me down I am 15. But I am not biased and I do have a life. Unlike those people standing in line for the 3g Iphone which still does not have a set release date. I still think standing in line for four hours for a ride at Six Flags is ridiculous and pretty much thats the longest line I will stand in.