iPhone 3G lines start at the Apple Cube... one week early

So we heard some really over-eager folks have decided to get a jump on the iPhone 3G line -- a really, really big jump. Obviously, we had to head down and see if it was true... and it is. Right now, about ten people have started a line outside of Apple's flagship store on 5th Avenue in New York. Word is that the family at the head of the queue are attempting to break some kind of record which involves their baby -- which kind of sounds a little intense if you ask us. On the other hand, you didn't hear Greg Packer complaining, right? We're going to wrangle some of these cats for an interview and video, so stay tuned! For right now, check some more pics after the break.

Update: We got a chance to speak with group leader Daniel on video, who let us in the gang's desire to break the world record for waiting in line, as well as some... er, broad political ideas. We also learned that the baby probably won't be forced to stay outside of the Apple Store all week. See it for yourself in the clip after the break!

Update 2: According to a Fortune report on the group, five of the ten have already hit the road, and New York City cops sent the baby packing not long after we visited the scene. The remaining neo-hippies have also refined their confused political message as well, which manages to come off as somehow more inane than just wanting to break a world record.

[Via GearDiary]

[Hamidxa @ Jul 4th 2008 4:56PM]

iDiots

[Jack Blackwell @ Jul 4th 2008 4:59PM]

Agreed, I don't think the demand will be as great. There's no point to do this.

This is madness!

[Jonathan Tyler @ Jul 4th 2008 5:01PM]

It's the whole "FIRST!" thing.

I don't get it. Whether you're first or the 400th person the phone is exactly the same. What's the bonus? An iPhone -bag-?!

[Mam00th @ Jul 4th 2008 5:06PM]

And I bet the first in the line is clak...

[TVGenius @ Jul 4th 2008 5:10PM]

When the first mythical iPhone came out, there were a whopping five people in line at the lone AT&T store here. Wonder how many people will rush out to get one, seeing as how AT&T has no 3G coverage within 150 miles of here?

[Stem $ell @ Jul 4th 2008 5:12PM]

So true -- might add: "iDle rich" and "iDol worshipers"... (and I'm *not* talkin Spamalot freaks here!)

[rock99rock @ Jul 4th 2008 5:30PM]

Jobs is right in hiring these people sit there first (assuming that's what this is). Wouldn't want another Greg Parker to be first. Or second for that matter. He ended up being the face of that whole ordeal last year. Not that I have anything against him, he just wouldn't have been MY first choice to have a picture of him in his wife beater (I mean, where did he shit, honestly?) associated with the release of MY prized possession.

[Cybrid @ Jul 4th 2008 5:52PM]

iT's a Trap!

Oh, wait, they're in New York.
Ignore the above, unless you're a Canadian...

[Jakob Henner @ Jul 4th 2008 5:51PM]

DING DONG the iPhone is delayed a month!

[Qugeist_ @ Jul 4th 2008 5:56PM]

@Jonathan Tyler

They'll be on television (probably live as well) - if you can remember the hype aired on TV...

I guess this time they'll be running out with an iPhone box in their hand and an AT&T contract in another - although I really hope this isn't gonna happen...

But damn, I can understand if they don't have a job - but taking a whole week off school/work is to me outrageous! I hope they won't get mad (again) if Apple announces a price cut 2 months later - probably on the unsubsidised iPhone.

Anyway, I'm happy with the new iPhone releasing soon :)

[nerdtalker @ Jul 4th 2008 6:09PM]

Good to know that iDiots don't have to go to work, or, you know, do _stuff_... I'd like to know how they plan to pay for those raised 3G data costs standing outside camping in tarps for a week. Last time I saw that many mendicants in a public place was 4/20.

I guess that's because all apple users are real enterprise users, busy scheduling meetings and checking their exchange calendars over "Active Stink". Or, ostensibly one could say they're using the best-in-class features of the iPhone 2.5G to work out of the office with true mobility...

iNnsane
iLlogical
iNcomprehensible

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jul 4th 2008 6:52PM]

Rumors indicate that by 7/11, the line will stretch down to Wall Street. First day goal for iPhone sales at Apple Cube store... only 100,000 units sold due to time-consuming in-store activation.

[KP @ Jul 4th 2008 6:55PM]

Man its too damn BAD the dude using the MacBook cant tether his 1st Gen IPHONE to boost Internet...Sad sad case.

[MemphisNET @ Jul 4th 2008 7:56PM]

Apple fanboy's are a disgrace to humanity.

[Jason @ Jul 4th 2008 8:01PM]

iPhone 3G:

Infinitesimal Penis Havin' Obnoxious NEanderthal... 3rice Guaranteed

[Qugeist_ @ Jul 4th 2008 8:56PM]

@KP:

The guy wearing a white t-shirt looks more like he's using an iBook :P

[Artr @ Jul 4th 2008 9:19PM]

I wonder if they've registered their "record" with Guinness yet, otherwise it'd be so ridiculously futile.
I guess if people want to line up for something they can, but they really shouldn't be dragging their baby into this....

[Newsom02 @ Jul 4th 2008 10:48PM]

Unbelievable. How cool will they feel sitting in Central Park or at a restaurant on July 11 and seeing others who didn't camp out using the new iPhone also?

[Gavin Greenwalt @ Jul 5th 2008 2:37PM]

The real question is why they think 1 week nominates them for a Guinness. Star wars Lines lasted months. A week? Really? You don't think anybody has waited in line for something for a week? NCAA tickets have longer lines.

[derX @ Jul 4th 2008 11:41PM]

Scadenfreude: I hope it rains. For several days. Without stop.

[derX @ Jul 5th 2008 12:14AM]

Yay, I cannot spell "schadenfreude." I guess I deserved that.

[Dennis @ Jul 5th 2008 1:20AM]

I hope it rains in New York...

[Lazerface @ Jul 5th 2008 2:17AM]

This is iSPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[applemanc @ Jul 5th 2008 6:53AM]

Umm...has Apple actually confirmed that the phone will be sold in their stores?

Here in the UK I've asked in the Manchester store twice (last time yesterday), and the answer I got was an official 'we don't know'...so what exactly are these people waiting in line FOR?!

[d @ Jul 5th 2008 8:11AM]

1st of all, mam00th, don't dis clak until clak actually comments on the feed. srsly, that's just mean.

2nd of all, 6 BILLION PEOPLE(to sign the petition at the end of the video)?

[Jakob Henner @ Jul 5th 2008 1:52PM]

TL?! You are hilarious (in a sad way).

[Jherez @ Jul 5th 2008 2:40PM]

@ d. So I guess we can expect him to comment a week from now...

[MarkZ @ Jul 5th 2008 5:32PM]

These are the kinds of men who think calling a woman you just met thrice daily will make her love you more.

[Generic @ Jul 5th 2008 4:27PM]

they're playing a new game:

iWait

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Jul 5th 2008 11:36PM]

Don't these people have lives?

iLife doesn't count.

[Jon @ Jul 4th 2008 4:56PM]

Do these people not have jobs?!

Geeze.

[Huey2k2 @ Jul 4th 2008 4:57PM]

Wow, took the words right out of my mouth.

[Nik @ Jul 4th 2008 4:57PM]

No, but they obviously love Jobs...

[Jonathan Tyler @ Jul 4th 2008 5:05PM]

Maybe that's how they pay for all their Macs?

Ohsnap.

[wako @ Jul 4th 2008 5:08PM]

Greg Packer is a "professional line sitter."


So the answer is no they dont :)

[Samo @ Jul 4th 2008 5:08PM]

Yeah, they have jobs.... Steve Jobs!






..... I'll get my coat

[Jesse S @ Jul 4th 2008 5:34PM]

Of course they don't, they're in line for an iPhone using Macbooks.

They're in college and high school.

What, you don't think that adults get iPhones, do you?

[Paulmichael @ Jul 4th 2008 11:43PM]

Hell yes, sure is nice to be one. I'd have joined them, except I prefer my phones and laptops to, you know, be useful.

[fontendet24 @ Jul 5th 2008 3:11AM]

These people (most of them) ARE eBAY SELLERS!
They'll need to get the device faster - so they can resell it for a higher price on eBay.
Faster get - highest profit on auction.
And many other people (from China and other non-start selling countries) waiting - when the new device will be on eBay - they're ready to spend on it more than a $1000 dollars.
So, that's why this ridiculous week-waiting for iPhone is make sense.

[PiperSon @ Jul 5th 2008 1:30PM]

Maybe they just have holidays...

[huh @ Jul 4th 2008 4:56PM]

Must be nice to be in a country where it's worth it to line up for the iPhone, as opposed to say Canada where it's going to cost over $3k for a required 3 year contract, and doesn't even include unlimited data.

[Jonathan Tyler @ Jul 4th 2008 4:59PM]

Ahahha! Yeah, that's why Telus is going to keep me with the Blackberry. I'd love to get one of the new phones but my god. Rogers is killing us on plans.

Then again with Telus I'm paying $25 for 4MB/month. I love Canada..

[Andrew T. @ Jul 4th 2008 5:10PM]

Why? Telus has an unlimted plan...unless you're on some sort of share plan like I am, then you're screwed...

[blax @ Jul 4th 2008 5:49PM]

Jonathan, for $5 more a month you can have 300mb on Rogers. You aren't required to use the iPhone plans, you can just use a regular phone plan with a data plan thrown on if you want.

Still, no unlimited data makes me sad. :(

[Jakob Henner @ Jul 4th 2008 5:55PM]

Yeaah actually it's very sad to pay about 3000 bucks for a phone, which is OOOOLD in 3 years.

I guess we Danes have nothing to complain about in comparision to you guys. We only have to sign up for 6 months, but still why not include unlimited data?

[huh @ Jul 4th 2008 6:40PM]

Hi Tits (I wish!)

Actually Fido is the same company as Rogers. And to be honest I don't want the iPhone, 's too limited for me, I'm just upset about the general lack of unlimited wireless internet up here.

[Agent42 @ Jul 4th 2008 11:13PM]

Any cell company up here will rip you off no questions asked.

Well, except Virgin Mobile. They're the only half decent mobile operator around these parts. $25 a month for Unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited texts as well as 100 anytime minutes.
Tack on a $7 unlimited internet dealie and there you go. (almost) perfect cellphone plan for $32 + tax a month. (Oh yeah, did I mention they don't charge that "system access fee" of $7-$9 a month like everybody else?

[Ethan @ Jul 4th 2008 11:27PM]

No one is paying $3000 for a phone. Everyone is paying $199 or $299 for a phone. If you spend an extra 3 or 4 hundred dollars to get it unlocked, do you think you get free cell phone service or data?




The answer, in case you were wondering, is no.

[Moises @ Jul 4th 2008 4:57PM]

yes, 1st comment

dang, already?

[Huey2k2 @ Jul 4th 2008 4:57PM]

Do these people not have jobs or something?