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The Night Before the 3G iPhone Launch at the 5th Ave Apple Store
Posted by Benny Goldman at 3:03 PM on July 11, 2008
The line outside of the Apple store on 59th street in NYC is definitely an event. There are about 100 people wrapped around the block, patiently waiting for the iPhone 3G. We'll be up all night checking out the scene and talking to the diehards who can't wait to get their hands on the new phone. We've got games, blankets, and provisions (liquid and food), so if you're in town, stop by and say "Hi". Otherwise, keep checking back to see all of the madness going on—you never know what could happen. Update: Greg Packer showed up!
1:06 AM - One opportunistic young gentleman named Henry is selling his 7th place spot in line ... for a cool US$150.
1:10 AM - People are dropping like flies. A couple just left when they found out they'd have to sign up for contracts.
1:35 - Surprisingly, there aren't many people who waited here for a phone last year. However, I did find Matt, who waited last year in Richmond, VA. He's in town on business but got so caught up when he walked by the line he decided to hop in. He conveniently broke his original iPhone last week in a "Brazilian party accident", and he's pretty excited to get a new one.
1:58 - I asked some people what apps they were most excited about, and I got the same answer over and over: Super Monkey Ball. Other than that, people are looking forward to Remote, AIM, Facebook, and Whrrl.
2:25 - PACKER! He's here, but not for the iPhone. He's planning on sleeping in the park tomorrow to get Bon Jovi tickets. He says he won't be the first in line, but he'll be close. Special thanks to my new best friend Henry for coming to tell me he's here.
4:15 - News crews are starting to show up, so you know it's getting serious. I've seen trucks from CW, ABC, Good Day New York, along with reporters from the Wall Street Journal and DVICE.
4:20 - Update: Packer is asleep like a little baby.
4:45 - Sleepiness is setting in for me too, but I have a whole slew of energy drinks to get me through the final push. So far I've had an açai banana-mango concoction that was awful going down but had a delicious aftertaste, and a Venom Mojave Rattler that smelled like Robotussin and tasted like battery acid. I still haven't tried Stamina-RX, whose can promises "Extreme Sexual Experience".
5:30 - The line has stretched all the way down 59th St. to Madison Ave.
5:40 - The sun is starting to rise over NYC, people are getting excited.
6:20 - Everyone is getting interviewed about the iPhone 3G by radio stations, TV stations, and newspapers. What's left to say? We want our phones!
6:45 - People are getting antsy, they keep moving around to stay awake and excited. This last hour and change is going to be a challenge.
6:50 - The line is moving, people are walking in! Will updated ASAP.
6:55 - Phew! Almost lost my spot in line, but here it is, the final few feet until they open the doors and let all of us here loose on the Cube and the prize we've had our eyes on for hours.
7:50 - Frucci's all the way down the block and he told me that the line is firmly wrapped around Madison Ave. again.
7:55 - A bunch of people in orange iPhone 3G shirts just stepped outside, and the crowd started cheering.
8:00 - One of those hippies who's been waiting a week to (allegedly) buy a phone got in trouble for something and now it looks like he can't come in.
8:05 - The doors are open and people are going in! I'll be back with more after I buy mine to let you know how it goes.
8:07 - Just got down here and there are at least 100 Apple employees cheering everyone on. It's nuts!
8:15 - Buying my phone, I'm this close to tearing the box open right now.
8:27 - Mission accomplished!
8:28 - The SIM ejector tool is a lot fancier than I expected.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
dink23
Posted 4:09 PM 11/7/08
@Jeremias: You can use your Business tax ID number to setup an account under your business name, but only at an AT&T store. Keep in mind that the business data plan is $45 not the typical $30 charge for a consumer account.
dink23
tamade
Posted 4:04 PM 11/7/08
Thanks Giz, I'm gonna get my friend to scream you need to sign a 2 year contract at the lines! then i'll casually stroll up.
tamade
rahilmehta
Posted 4:02 PM 11/7/08
@Jeremias: Instructions specifically say social security number. Good luck.
rahilmehta
Jeremias
Posted 3:55 PM 11/7/08
@juddcarlos2003:
I don't have SS. I hope they accept my TAX id Number.
Jeremias
rahilmehta
Posted 3:47 PM 11/7/08
@Player4: Probably. It would have been funnier if they found out tomorrow. Go through with the whole process, until the Apple Rep tells them they have to sign a two-year contract. The whole store pissed at them, and them wasting 7+ hours of their time.
rahilmehta
rahilmehta
Posted 3:43 PM 11/7/08
@shorty63136: Plugin your iPhone and click update. That manually forces and update. The 7/15/08 date is when it will automatically check for updates. BTW, if you have an iPhone, why not just update already?
rahilmehta
Player4
Posted 3:43 PM 11/7/08
@rahilmehta: They were probably planning on just buying them to sell on ebay. If that's the case, it serves them right that they wasted their time.
Player4
Player4
Posted 3:42 PM 11/7/08
@shorty63136: That's an automatic check, you can manually check and get the update when it's up.
Player4
NilSn
Posted 3:41 PM 11/7/08
Ive got the first iPhone at Geneva :)
But im too busy to take pictures and review ._.
NilSn
crazy0000
Posted 3:40 PM 11/7/08
I wish I was waiting in line...
I have to work at 7:30, I'm pretty sure the stores don't open until 8. Anyone know what the supply is going to be like in Canada?
crazy0000
shorty63136
Posted 3:36 PM 11/7/08
Does anybody else's iTunes say that it's not going to check for another iPhone update until 7/15/08? If I wake up at 9am and I see I gotta wait til the 15th to get 2.0 I'ma be pissed. :(
shorty63136
rahilmehta
Posted 3:30 PM 11/7/08
@JaggedToaster: I'm guessing sometime soon. Apple will probably want the site to be updated by 8 AM tomorrow, and they are already notorious for updating the site around midnight. I wouldn't be surprised if the Apple store went down in a couple hours. For example, iTunes dropped around 12 AM PDT.
rahilmehta
UniComp
Posted 3:30 PM 11/7/08
I don't get this mania over a cellphone. Of course, I've never used this phone... But still, I don't get the mania.
UniComp
dna
Posted 3:27 PM 11/7/08
Lah-hu, suh-hers!
(Ace Ventura)
...
dna
MMcNasby
Posted 3:26 PM 11/7/08
I'm sitting in line with 12 other people at the Bensalem, PA AT&T Store. I'm with my buddy and our girlfriends (that's real love) and we all have work in the morning. Is anyone else sitting in line also looking forward to eight hours or work tomorrow?
MMcNasby
rahilmehta
Posted 3:26 PM 11/7/08
Idiots didn't realize till now that you have to sign a contract! Wow.
Doesn't look nearly as bad as last year, of course, due to more supply. I bet it'll be easy to get one this weekend.
rahilmehta
juddcarlos2003
Posted 3:24 PM 11/7/08
Good luck to the guy selling his 7th spot in line!
I don't have credit and I'm 18. Has anyone had problems with the deposit amounts? I don't want to go next week and have to shell out an extra cool $500! lol
juddcarlos2003
JaggedToaster
Posted 3:21 PM 11/7/08
@Chester_Copperpot: Apple can activate them too.
JaggedToaster
Chester_Copperpot
Posted 3:20 PM 11/7/08
Don't all the people who buy at an Apple store have to go to an AT&T store to activate it anyway? Or are they activating phones at Apple stores now?
If I was getting a phone tomorrow, I'm waiting til next week, I would go to an AT&T store just in case.
Chester_Copperpot
Ferg1
Posted 3:20 PM 11/7/08
@JaggedToaster:
prob before 10 AM eastern time
Ferg1
JaggedToaster
Posted 3:18 PM 11/7/08
Only seven hours until the second coming of the jesusphone. Wow.
Any idea what time the official 2.0 update will be released?
JaggedToaster
shorty63136
Posted 3:18 PM 11/7/08
It makes me sick that people are going to show up and stand in line forever and not know that:
A - They have to sign a contract right then and there.
B - Shell out more money if they're not a new customer or existing customer eligible for an upgrade.
I really want people to really read those FAQs.
shorty63136
skittlzncombos
Posted 3:17 PM 11/7/08
Did those people not think to read up on the gadget before waiting in line for it?
skittlzncombos
Modano
Posted 4:35 PM 11/7/08
I got in the 5th ave line about 3:30 last year and I was #100. I'm about to head over there now. If they were up to 100 around 1 am, it's a bigger line than last year. I'll send pics!
Modano
chopstickhero
Posted 4:32 PM 11/7/08
this is not like the first iPhone release where it may potentially sell out. lol... plus AT&T stores have it... so there's tons of stock!
chopstickhero
Jeremias
Posted 4:14 PM 11/7/08
@rahilmehta:
Well I Sing up with sprint with only my ITIN #.
MY Deposit was $150, so I don't expect they gonna ask for a deposit more than $200.
@dink23:
Yeah but I'm not a Business owner.
Anyway i think I'm better off buying the iPhone at a ATT store than a Apple store
Jeremias
rahilmehta
Posted 4:12 PM 11/7/08
@tamade: Too bad most people (hopefully) aren't as stupid as the couple in NY. :)
rahilmehta
The Magnificen7
Posted 5:02 PM 11/7/08
@heroineworshipper: If you know about it, someone's covered it. Go back there. The iPhone is big news.
The Magnificen7
Player4
Posted 5:01 PM 11/7/08
@ProSeven: Yeah, they could be doing something much better like insulting complete strangers on the internet.
Player4
heroineworshipper
Posted 4:56 PM 11/7/08
Can anyone cover the FCC's recent threat against Comca$t or does all news have to be Apple?
heroineworshipper
Tossik
Posted 4:53 PM 11/7/08
I was just driving by my local att store here in salem oregon, and it was around 11:30pm, and i saw 2 people camping out... thats all.. our town has around 15 att stores in the area and 3 apple stores... WERE GONNA BE SO SOLD OUT!!! lol
Tossik
The Magnificen7
Posted 4:49 PM 11/7/08
@The Magnificen7: Dammit. They*
The Magnificen7
dieman
Posted 4:48 PM 11/7/08
There is no way there is going to be insanity over this phone. They won't 'sell out' and lots of people will be completely put off of having to be with AT&T. I'd consider an iphone if there was a bring-your-own-provider option and a DUN/PAN profile. Lack of both of those are dealbreakers.
dieman
The Magnificen7
Posted 4:48 PM 11/7/08
@ProSeven: At least the have better grammar.
The Magnificen7
Jeremias
Posted 4:47 PM 11/7/08
@Modano:
Dude if you gonna buy a Iphone in the "city" , no matter what day it is. is better hed to the 14 St.
I never went there Anda found a huge crowd. but if you gonna to the Soho or 5 ave, you gonna lose your patiance with the enormous crowd.
Jeremias
rahilmehta
Posted 4:46 PM 11/7/08
Haha that new picture of the guy at the top is pretty funny. His umbrella looks kinda like some kind of plasma rifle.
rahilmehta
tamade
Posted 4:43 PM 11/7/08
since i have a few people still up and commenting, does the early iphone buyer credit still work? I already claimed it...just havent used it yet.
tamade
ProSeven
Posted 4:41 PM 11/7/08
What empty lifes those people have. They have nice phones, but no friends, no families. When they get home they probably publish pics of their phones on facebook for people who they even never met. Hi5.
ProSeven
rahilmehta
Posted 4:38 PM 11/7/08
So, is there any live entertainment like last time?
rahilmehta
PiersRippey
Posted 5:19 PM 11/7/08
@freakshow1:
Are those the only three places in Oregon selling iPhones?
PiersRippey
kimchi43
Posted 5:19 PM 11/7/08
i passed by my local AT&T store here in honolulu. not one person in sight. perhaps the local people like da kine where you can just bust up the phone and not worry. hahaha.
kimchi43
freakshow1
Posted 5:06 PM 11/7/08
@Tossik:
Salem?
Don't confuse lame azz Salem with P-Town.
Oregon
* Portland, Pioneer Place
* Tigard, Bridgeport Village
* Tigard, Washington Square
Salem aint got squat.
word!
freakshow1
i BaldEagle
Posted 5:05 PM 11/7/08
I'm in L.A. and I'm too excited to sleep. Off to the Apple store I guess, whoo hoo!
i BaldEagle
leonwestbrook
Posted 5:03 PM 11/7/08
Morons. A LOT of people are going to be disappointed that they can't turn a profit on eBay by buying 6-7 phones this time around.
leonwestbrook
odnet
Posted 5:51 PM 11/7/08
@Make my baby:
well I have been doing yoga.
odnet
The Magnificen7
Posted 5:51 PM 11/7/08
@The Magnificen7: Or 'your are all loosers.' Whatever. Sorry for the double post.
The Magnificen7
The Magnificen7
Posted 5:48 PM 11/7/08
@moonrock: No no, we're 'loosers.' As he said, and I quote (translated) 'You are are all loosers.' Obviously we're far too loose.
The Magnificen7
moonrock
Posted 5:44 PM 11/7/08
@Make my baby: yet you are the one posting multiple comments about others being losers.... at 3:42am?
moonrock
Make my baby
Posted 5:42 PM 11/7/08
Your're all loosers.
Make my baby
Make my baby
Posted 5:41 PM 11/7/08
Losers.
Make my baby
Trampish
Posted 6:17 PM 11/7/08
Is anyone going to the west 14th st store this morning?
Trampish
ttech10
Posted 6:59 PM 11/7/08
@ttech10: That's 'loose' being 'free from constraints'. Not 'free' as it AOL trial discs.
ttech10
ttech10
Posted 6:58 PM 11/7/08
@The Magnificen7: Well... loose ='s free, sorta... right? And being free is associated with hippies. So... we're all hippies?
I don't understand this guy's logic. I'm NOTHING like a hippie.
ttech10
Philnolan3d
Posted 7:18 PM 11/7/08
@skittlzncombos:
If you're referring to the people who left when they found out about the contracts, then no they probably didn't. Most likely they are people who don't want one or even care about it, they just know - this is the new big gadget, I can sell it on eBay.
Philnolan3d
Jeremias
Posted 7:14 PM 11/7/08
Acai Banana Mango???
Power bowl is just, Acai Banana, guarana some strawberrys . sure to keep you awke for the next 2 nights.
Jeremias
ttech10
Posted 7:31 PM 11/7/08
So I think I've finally given in... and if I can find a 3G at one of my AT&T stores today when I get out, I'm gonna pick one up then hopefully sell my current iPhone to makeup costs.
Of course, if they're all taken it's no big deal.
ttech10
A57Special
Posted 9:11 PM 11/7/08
What a bunch of iTools
A57Special
strider_mt2k
Posted 9:13 PM 11/7/08
I hope you all get your new toy and it's everything you want it to be.
Now go take a shower.
strider_mt2k
Chief2BeaR
Posted 10:21 PM 11/7/08
8:00 - One of those hippies who's been waiting a week got in trouble for something and now he can't come in.
HA!
Chief2BeaR
The Magnificen7
Posted 10:49 PM 11/7/08
@Quicksilver4648: Or he can't pass the credit check. Damn you Giz! Pay better so your guys can be the coolest kids on the block with their crazy awesome iPhones. Makes me sad I live in Canada. I might still get one though, with this "special pricing." But that 3 year contract really burns my cannoli... *shakes fist*
The Magnificen7
Quicksilver4648
Posted 10:42 PM 11/7/08
Its been over 30 minutes since his last post after he went inside the Apple store? Do you think... he's one of THEM now?
Quicksilver4648
dandaman247
Posted 10:40 PM 11/7/08
@UniComp: agreed. What's the point...especially if you have work in the morning! unless of course the jesusphone makes you "sick" with love.
dandaman247
jcrockerman
Posted 10:32 PM 11/7/08
@Chief2BeaR:
pure, awesome win
jcrockerman
ps61318
Posted 11:35 PM 11/7/08
@Wilson Rothman: @The Magnificen7: You guys get PAID to do this? Wow. That...is...just a huge mindfilk.
ps61318
transzoo
Posted 11:34 PM 11/7/08
I'm at the Apple store in Columbia, MD now, just bought mine and my wife's phone but the entire store is stuck on the Activating iTunes Store screen. They've called other stores and they're having the same problem. Freaking Apple didn't realize their own load. Would like to leave anytime. Freaking stuck here
transzoo
jdunns4
Posted 11:27 PM 11/7/08
JUST WAITED AT AN AT&T STORE...THEY HAD 10 iPhones...for 40+ people in line!
jdunns4
Wilson Rothman
Posted 11:24 PM 11/7/08
Congrats, Benny! I hope it was worth 6 whole months of Giz wages!!!
Wilson Rothman
92BuickLeSabre
Posted 11:22 PM 11/7/08
Oh wow Benny, not your finest image online.
(Although to be fair, I can think of at least one worse "image".)
92BuickLeSabre
c0rnpwn
Posted 12:02 AM 12/7/08
So...is the 5th Ave. store sold out?
c0rnpwn
bobx3
Posted 12:53 AM 12/7/08
...Man I had a good night's sleep.
bobx3
dkeady
Posted 12:59 AM 12/7/08
seriously thought whats the stock like at 5th ave. and the line? is it worth it to go over at lunch just to grab one and not activate?
dkeady
michaelwiggins
Posted 1:26 AM 12/7/08
@dna: I got the reference :)
michaelwiggins
Benny Goldman
Posted 2:05 AM 12/7/08
@92BuickLeSabre: F U!
@Wilson Rothman: F U!
@Chief2BeaR: You're cool.
@bobx3: F U!
Benny Goldman
im_back
Posted 2:38 AM 12/7/08
@JaggedToaster: not true, apparently apple cant activate a thumb in their asses. something about them not expecting this much success. idiots.
im_back
iTarek
Posted 4:00 AM 12/7/08
Those photos are fake.
iTarek
aznxenocide
Posted 4:41 AM 12/7/08
lol @ toothpick
aznxenocide
FreemanGman
Posted 8:06 PM 12/7/08
I don't get this... retarded fanboys.
Why not just buy the phone a few days or a week later when the hype is gone?
FreemanGman
AshleyDenise
Posted 8:32 PM 12/7/08
I am actually in one of those pics. I was in the 5th ave line since 4:30 and didnt get an iphone!!!!! They did NOT realize untill it happened to me that if you were not the primary account holder you could not get an iphone. When I walked out everyone was cheering and i made them stop.. i had no phone!!! BOOOOO! I don't think too highly of apple anymore...
AshleyDenise
soonershane
Posted 4:15 PM 11/7/08
Unfortunately 3G is not available where I live. (Just outside of B.F.E.!) So I am sticking with my nice metal-back iphone. Currently I am sitting up waiting for the 2.0 update and the mobile me site to come up!
soonershane
eblingmis
Posted 8:42 AM 15/7/08
best iphone post evr
eblingmis