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iPad mini launch day roundup
Given the transportation and logistical circumstances here in NYC post-Sandy, I'm not able to be at the Fifth Avenue store for this morning's iPad mini intro. Since I can't give you first-hand reports, here's a roundup of the buying experience from those in the midst of it. (Apple is running private shuttles for employees to make it in to work at Fifth Avenue, per BI. Two of Apple's five retail locations in Manhattan are in the powerless zone below midtown and are presumably closed; so are the independent Digital Society, Mike's Tech Shop and Tekserve stores, although Tekserve CEO Aaron Freimark emailed this morning to say that his store is open -- no power, but doing customer transactions via Square, and expecting a full shipment of new iPads and minis today.) Bloomberg TV editor Jake Beckman sums up the NYC prioritization split quite well: People are lined up for the iPad Mini this morning. Also lined up for gas. Oh, #NYC. - Jake Beckman (@jakebeckman) November 2, 2012 Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt, a consistent presence at the Fifth Avenue store for launches, reports about 550 people in line there this morning (and several camera crews). He suspects many of this morning's shoppers are planning to contribute their purchases to the overseas gray market. Fortune also has a collection of line videos from the launches in the Far East earlier today. CNET's Shara Tibken reports in her liveblog that sales of the iPad mini & fourth-gen iPad at Fifth Avenue have been pushed back to 10 AM from the expected 8 AM start. TechCrunch's survey of opening day crowds indicates modest lines in most locations. From the Pioneer Press/TwinCities.com, Julio Ojeda-Zapata posts a brief video of the modest turnout ("three dozen in line") at the massive Mall of America in Minnesota: Not a big turnout for the iPad mini with just under three dozen in line at MOA but Apple does the usual clap 'n' greet: post.ly/9hgrT - Julio Ojeda-Zapata (@ojezap) November 2, 2012 GearLive's Andru Edwards posts his line picture from Lynwood, Wash.: iPad mini line - Taylor's idea to wait in line! (with Taylor and Eric at @officialapple) [pic] - path.com/p/qcdRv -Andru Edwards (@AndruEdwards) November 2, 2012 Lines in Seattle appear modest, per @oakie -- although they've tripled since this earlier tweet: @tuaw @cultofmac @macrumors @verge @engadget the line for #iPadmini at @uvillage #Apple Store in Seattle. all 4 of us.campl.us/mEzL - oakie (@notoakie) November 2, 2012 ifoAppleStore's Gary Allen is surveying the globe and notes a line in Amsterdam: There was a waiting line at the Amsterdam (Netherlands) Apple store Friday morning for...iPad mini, iPhone 5? - flic.kr/p/dpW8GE - Gary Allen (@ifostore) November 2, 2012 And another one here in Paris, where gray market shoppers may also be among those filling the queue: Oh, thank goodness! An Apple retail store line, for the iPad mini at the Opéra (Paris) store. - bit.ly/SvjmIl - Gary Allen (@ifostore) November 2, 2012 London's Covent Garden store, apparently, was not as well attended this morning: The masses line up for iPad mini... Oh wait! Staff surprised as I was that no one turned up at covent garden twitter.com/mmalex/status/... - mmalex (@mmalex) November 2, 2012 FirstPost reports a modest line in Sydney, Australia earlier today. Reuters relays Gene Munster's suggestion that some mini demand may be waiting for the release of the cellular-enabled models in a few weeks. The Register reports similarly muted retail crowding in Glasgow. MacKozer sends in a picture from Poland: @tuaw iPad mini spotted at Polish APR iSpot. Greetings from Poland and Polish bloggers ;) twitter.com/mackozer/statu... - mackozer (@mackozer) November 2, 2012 Marcel & Oliver confirm short lines -- but also short supplies -- in Germany: @davidcaolo can confirm that here in Germany. But supplies seem really limited. After just 1 hour all white base modells where gone. - Marcel Marquis (@marcelmarquis) November 2, 2012 @tuaw I bought one in Germany, but there was no line. #iPadmini - Oliver Stör (@ollistoer) November 2, 2012 Robbie queued up in Cardiff for his iPad: It's 7AM and I'm Queuing for my iPad mini! instagr.am/p/RhKRZqF9MI/ @tuaw - Robbie Bone (@RobbieBone) November 2, 2012 Chris has a short line ahead of him in Scottsdale, Ariz.: @tuaw In line at the Scottsdale Quarter Apple Store for iPad mini. Only about 5 or 6 people ahead of me! twitter.com/knight_cjg/sta... - Chris (@knight_cjg) November 2, 2012 Shawn picked up his iPad in Target with no wait at all: @tuaw strolled into @target after 8am to pick up an iPad Mini.Nobody was even there and it wasn't even on the shelf. twitter.com/ctgm/status/26... - Shawn caseitup.com (@ctgm) November 2, 2012 Chicago's lines seem longer, per Matthew's observation: The iPad Mini has arrived. Lines wrapping around the block on Michigan Avenue. #Chicago twitter.com/MatthewSchwerh... - Matthew Schwerha (@MatthewSchwerha) November 2, 2012 More reports and pictures from around the globe: "@tuaw: If you're in line for an iPad mini or 4th gen today, send us a picture! #iPadmini"Line in Stockholm, Sweden twitter.com/mfr80/status/2... - Michal Frankowski (@mfr80) November 2, 2012 @tuaw the "line" at the Santa Barbara, CA Apple Store. Minus myself of course; I was out of frame taking the picture! twitter.com/dburr/status/2... - Donald Burr of Borg (@dburr) November 2, 2012 @tuaw got it already instagr.am/p/RhSbt1n_pd/ - Sascha (@saschaeggi) November 2, 2012 If you are on the fence about heading out for an iPad mini, perhaps this bit of advice from Discover's Ed Yong will help you make up your mind: Screw the iPad mini. I'm just going to hold my iPad slightly further away. - Ed Yong(@edyong209) November 2, 2012
Apple's iPad: it's here! (updated with unboxing video)
We've crossed the finish line at last! How is it on the other side? You tell us! We just put down plastic for one and had it activated at the Apple Store, so stand by for pictures and videos from that unparalleled experience. The "activation" process is just plugging it into a computer with iTunes for the first time, so that you can walk out of the store with the device turned on. After the unit is up and running you can dive into the App Store, where you're prompted for a free download of iBooks. It's all smooth sailing from there. Update: We added a gallery of shots entering The Cube, and after the break there's a video of us unboxing and activating the iPad. %Gallery-89670% %Gallery-89673%
iPad launch day: what you need to know
Have you heard? The iPad is launching this Saturday, April 3rd. After centuries of anticipation, Apple is returning to the tablet space after its ill-fated Newton, and while many have brushed off the iPad as a big iPhone, its retail approach is dramatically different. Follow with us after the break for a full breakdown of everything you need to know about getting your own "magical" tablet. Want more info? Check out our complete guide to everything iPad! You won't be disappointed, we swear.
