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]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 7th 2008 10:54PM]

I understand the subsidized and unsubsidized very clearly. However, it is still ethically wrong to mislead consumers to believe everyone will be paying the same price by announcing to the world the pricing and then publish the details in fine print later. It is the same with the car commercial that says 0 money down, 0% interest fo 72 months. Or how about the sigining your name to a sub-prime home loan. As a marketing professional, I see these misrepresented ads all the time. Consumers must research the fine print.

It is American to speak out or even demand large corporations to be more clear about the messages being communicated. Enron...? For those who paid the $700 w/o a contract for the 1gen, congrats to you. CLAP! CLAP! Why did Apple drastically drop the phone only months later? Those are exactly the type of customers AT&T and Apple will continue to reach. Those who jump at the first chance to have the latest and greatest... and we wonder why the sales of the Hummer, Ford Excursion and other large vehicles have hit bottom. The biggest, most expensive, and latest is not always the best.

Much Love

[troyallen Posted Jul 7th 2008 1:57AM]

Roy,
It could go the other way too. Why should you get the 2nd gen iPhone 3G for $199 subsidized, when I paid $800 for the 1st Gen. iPhone unsubsidized? That's a $600 dollar difference.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 7th 2008 6:33AM]

Interesting....

I think the place is too loud for the 6 months baby,
God...people...

[wraith404 Posted Jul 7th 2008 10:43AM]

iLosers....

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 7th 2008 6:50PM]

6Billion People will be signing petition! I love it!

[Crunch Posted Jul 7th 2008 6:04PM]

I thought it was such UTTER BS last year, too. However, I just got pre-qualified for a 16GB iPhone 20 mins. ago haha...no standing in line for me...that standing in line for 5 days is incomprehensible for me as well. MAX, I'll stand in line for 1-3 hours Friday morning, but that's IT. haha...but now I don't have to at all....woohooo

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 7th 2008 8:57PM]

Is that Nancy Botwin in the first pic? If so, I'm not watching Weeds anymore.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 8th 2008 1:28AM]

What could these people be doing better with their time than waiting in line. Did I miss when that became cool? Like if I could just show up and pay for an iphone and walk out in under 30 seconds that would be be ideal.. maybe Im just old fashioned

[Rjbuddyboi Posted Jul 10th 2008 1:17AM]

Apple crazies!

[Rjbuddyboi Posted Jul 10th 2008 1:31AM]

Pure Iphone madness!

[Rjbuddyboi Posted Jul 10th 2008 1:20AM]

Pure Iphone madness!

[Rjbuddyboi Posted Jul 10th 2008 1:32AM]

Sorry! I got trigger happy! Forgiveness please :-(

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 10th 2008 3:21AM]

Don't they have a job? or a life? friends? Who are they gonna call when they get an iphone?
The day they come out with time travel machine I'll camp out. But for a phone?
These poeple really need to see a shrink.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2008 4:42PM]

all i wanna knoe is whut does it take get have it completly installed.
cuz i over heared someone saying that u need and iplan and this and than.
and u cant get insurance whut is that. and whut is the lowest bill the iphone can have.

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