Apple unleashes iPhone 3G S on well-prepared US public (with video!)

As the international date line swung around to the States and rain finally stopped in NY, a few hundred people lined up outside the Fifth Avenue Apple Store today for Apple's new iPhone, with the those The iLife guys up front descending into the store at 7AM to the sound of applause from the cheery horde of Apple Store employees. It was a far sight from the mayhem of previous launches -- the whole line was able to be contained in the elevated portion to the right of the store, no sidewalk necessary -- but it was still a fairly impressive turnout for a spec-bumped phone and a rainy night. Stand by for video from the launch, and be sure to send in your own launch impressions.

Update: Video is after the break!

Apple unleashes iPhone 3G S on well-prepared public

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 20th 2009 3:45AM]

I waited in line for nearly an hour this evening to get in the Salt Lake City Apple store, by the time I did get inside, they were sold out of the 32GB Black iPhones. (I'd called 30 minutes before and they still had them in stock then.) Couldn't they have come out and told us which models they were sold out of so we didn't waste any more time in line???

I would have pre-ordered one, but AT&T didn't allow a subsidy until after the pre-order period was over. :P

[dialedone Posted Jun 20th 2009 4:01AM]

What time did you go to the SLC store? earlier they seemed to have plenty

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 20th 2009 7:42AM]

I very proudly own NO cellphone, and will not ever buy into this AT and T attempt to control the airways. Why in the world must people have a device attached to their hands at all times? Can we not stand silence? Are you so important that you must be available every second of the day? I am tired of having to be super diligent on the roadways because the majority of people are so entranced by the latest gadget that they are driving with no hands and no brains. I vote to ban cell phones from vehicles and public places (I do not CARE which grocery store aisle you are standing in, how many minutes it will take you to drive home, or what size bra you're buying, truly.) I vote for quiet thoughts, deep breathing, and an hour without some obnoxious ring tone. I also think children would be much better off if their parents talked to THEM instead of around them to someone else.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 20th 2009 4:09PM]

I would agree with you, if it wasn't for those "what if" emergency cases where a cell phone is a life saver.

I'm sure you'd be thinking "damn.. I wish I had a cell phone right now" when your car breaks down miles from anywhere on a road with little or no traffic.

Not to mention, having to search for blocks before you find a payphone is a pain in the @ss.

I personally don't understand how anyone in todays society doesn't have one. Example.. I ran into an elderly couple the other day who were searching for an address near my office, which is in the middle of an industrial area (i.e. No Payphones). They aproached me and asked if they could make a call on my cell. I graciously let them. While dialing the old man looked at me and said "Never had one of these you know. I don't need one."

I laughed to myself as he continued his call.

I felt the same way as he did, until I got my first cell phone. I don't talk on it while driving or any of that crap. I use it for work every now and then, but it has been a life saver so far.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 20th 2009 12:30PM]

I had HUGE problems just buying a replacement iPhone 3G on the day of the 3GS launch. I decided it would be fun to camp out (since I didn’t work that Friday) and join those waiting for the new phone. I was third in line from 1:30am! Opening time comes and as they are taking down reservations, several Apple Store employees told me I would be able to actually get the 3GS for $199 – all I had to do was tell them inside.

But the Apple Store employees quoted me an incorrect price on the new 3GS (even after looking up my account info), locked me out of my AT&T account because of too many attempted registrations, and the best part is this faux 3GS they were going to sell me wasn’t even allowable since the quantity in the store needed to match those for the reservations. Bait and switch tactics—just get the customer in the door, tell them whatever and then spring a $400 surprise on them.

I’m very disappointed in my customer service experience at the SoHo Apple store, and heading to an AT&T store I was able to buy another 3G and get my life back in order. I’m going to be in communication with both companies to talk about my experience since this shouldn't happen to anyone else.

Here’s the full story:
http://www.kencutts.com/myarticles/NOGOtoSOHOapple.html

[Nova Posted Jun 20th 2009 3:28PM]

When a bunch of no life suc**rs get a apple made life style toy. Pathetic.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 20th 2009 3:58PM]

Are people still lining up for this crap..!!??

People.. the bloody phone will be there tomorrow, next week, next month.. hell by then ther'll be a new one. Why stand in line for hours? I assume none of these people have lives/jobs.. however that leaves the unanswered question of how they afford all their Icrap..

iDrugs..? iProstitution..? iwillneverunderstandthesepeople....

[AiR1890 Posted Jun 20th 2009 9:22PM]

does anyone think its kinda dumb to camp out for a phone, yah I know its a great phone, but no phone is worth camping out for, o yah aren't these stores open 24 hours, so why not just go much later in the day when the lines have completley died down, and theres no one there, and you just go in and get the iphone, no wait, no hassle

[bsnar Posted Jun 21st 2009 2:45AM]

i understand waiting in line for a long time to get the Phone( because u want to buy it first and get outta there), but i don't understand the cheering and clapping....because i hope these people understand that this Phone is NOT GOING TO ADD ANY SECOND TO THEIR LIVES.....its JUST a phone with a compass and some whistles & bells....my goodness.Its not that serious.

[bsnar Posted Jun 21st 2009 2:48AM]

scratch what i said earlier about 'waiting in line' its stupid..... go the nest day or 2..