Jul 11, 2008 01:03 AM
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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 $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 thisclose to tearing the box open right now.
8:27 - Mission accomplished!
8:28 - The SIM ejector tool is a lot fancier than I expected.
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