Gizmodo: line

Woz Cuts Apple Store Line to Get iPhone 3GS First

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:59:59 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Apparently, if you are the most admired hero in the history of computing and an awesome dancer, you can cut through iPhone 3GS waiting lines like a lightsaber cuts through butter. The Woz did that today, according to a witness:

I just got my iPhone this morning at the Apple Store in Valley Fair (San Jose, CA) and Steve Wozniak was there.

I arrived at 3:50am and Mr. Woz was chopping it up with the manager at Apple. Then around 4:30am he politely asked everyone in line if he could be the 1st to get his iPhone at the store and everyone said yes.

I would have let him go first too. As long as he gave me a hug, though. [MacRumors Forums via Silicon Alley Insider]

Commuting To Work Via Zipline In Sichuan Province

John Mahoney — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:40:00 EST

It sounds like a dream, but the circumstances here are not quite so fantastical—those that must cross a collapsed bridge to get to work have been using a zip line since last year's earthquake.

[WSJ - photo: San Lang/European Pressphoto Agency]

The Night Before the 3G iPhone Launch at the 5th Ave Apple Store

Benny Goldman — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:03:00 EDT

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.

Leopard Lines are Ridiculous

Jason Chen — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:00:41 EDT

If the video this morning didn't give you a good idea of how excited New Yorkers were about Leopard, check out this one. Richard Blakeley caught enough Apple-heads to fill up half of an entire city block. In the rain. Guess they really love iChat video effects. Video by Richard Blakeley

Korean McDonald's Becomes First Restaurant to Offer RFID-Based Transactions

blongo3 — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:30:12 EDT

Soon you'll be able to skip the lines at Korean McDonald's. Instead, just sit down, pull out your cellphone and pop in an RFID adapter to place an order. All you need is a phone that is compatible with the RFID adapter and can download the McDonald's ordering application. The idea of a fully autonomous Mickey D's is getting closer and closer every day. [KoreaTimes via The Raw Feed]

SF iPhone Line Does The Wave (Bonus, Sarah Meyers Takes off Her Shirt)

Jason Chen — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:16:01 EDT

In case it wasn't clear how long the SF iPhone line is, check out this video where we got them to do the wave. How? By giving them T-Shirts. Stick around for the very end. You know why.

We're getting pumped up, since it's almost our turn to get in.

Video by Sarah Meyers and Richard Blakeley

A Video Tour Down the SF iPhone Line

Jason Chen — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:40:35 EDT

We went down the San Francisco Apple iPhone line (the circus of downtown) and asked people what they were going to do with their new iPhones. A couple good answers from the freaks and geeks, but you gotta watch for yourself.

And Lam's answer? Put it down his pants? Get your own ideas, Lam.

Much more coverage and video to come tomorrow.

Video by Richard Blakeley and Sarah Meyers

AT&T Interviewee Line Extends Half a Block Thanks to iPhone Mania

Jason Chen — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:20:14 EDT

Think Apple's the one getting the upper hand in this iPhone/AT&T deal? AT&T's sitting pretty too. Reader Evan sends in this picture of an interviewee line outside of the Midtown Manhattan AT&T store, all lining up for jobs leading up to the iPhone launch.

Oh, but it's not just for the iPhone. The store rep said there are a bunch of other positions in the store they need to fill as well, but we're pretty sure there wouldn't be that many gigs sans Jesus Phone. – Jason Chen

Thanks Evan!

Protect Your TV With This Wii Strap Fix

Jason Chen — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:40:40 EST

Since flying Wiimotes are breaking TVs both here and in Japan now, here's a flickr guide to protect your $2000 investment from your $250 investment.

Long story short, it involves some braided fishing line and some knot tying. Ok so it wasn't a long story to begin with. Check out the flickr to see the step-by-step. – Jason Chen

Guide Page [Flickr]