Filed under: Other Events, Apple
iPhone UK: The Liveblog
Greetings TUAW readers, from our temporary HQ located just outside London's Regent Street store. Yes, that's right: we're live from London until 6:02pm tomorrow, updated as and when yours truly isn't too busy consuming food (or caffeine for that matter). If you're in-line for an iPhone somewhere in the U.K. and have a tip to share, be sure to link to photos in the comments or hit us up on our tips form.
The day started with a few clouds and was largely dry, but by half-past four, torrential rain was pouring down. Thankfully Apple-supplied umbrellas, and large store bags, (as well as umbrellas of our own) kept us relatively dry. We're now up to four folks in the queue, with two people joining this afternoon after leaving work early. If you're wondering what things are like in line, you might want to check out this article on Pocket Lint (which also includes some photos- no prizes for spotting the TUAW blogger in the midst of things). One slightly amusing, and stress-inducing, moment was when one staff-member from a local Carphone Warehouse store came to the queue, berating us that 'Apple wouldn't sell us an iPhone tomorrow, until CPW had sold 'X' number of units'. We boo-ed him off, and things are now back to normal - if a little damp.
Thankfully, the queue is now starting to gain more people, albeit slowly, and with no rain (unlike yesterday's downpours) predicted, we're getting started on some more hot drinks to hopefully raise body temperatures close to normal.
0710: Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Product Marketing has just rolled up:
Later in the evening, we're visited by ITV News who talk to the queue's leader, TechCrunch UK's Mike Butcher popped by to check out the queue and Greg Joswiak from the iPhone marketing team was in-store to check things out for tomorrow's launch.
After dinner, which was bought to us by folks from The Cloud Wireless Broadband, we proceeded to enjoy a second meal courtesy of TrustedPlaces (whose co-founder not only provided food, but stayed around and made sure the 5 of us were comfortable) - one thing we realised was that food would become scarcer later on, and so should eat when we could! Eventually, we settled down for a night by the store, with people constantly asking us: "What are we queueing for, or why we were queueing at all?" Folks of varying soberness, and sanity (ourselves included there) passed by, including two local community support officers who ensured we were keeping the peace (and of course, play with the iPhone that just happened to be around).Thankfully, the queue is now starting to gain more people, albeit slowly, and with no rain (unlike yesterday's downpours) predicted, we're getting started on some more hot drinks to hopefully raise body temperatures close to normal.
0710: Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Product Marketing has just rolled up:
1130: Matthew Key, O2 CEO just turned up, and headed into the Apple offices.
1530: With the Apple Store closed, the queue is slowly beginning to grow: the press have left, at least for now, and if you're still wanting an Apple-fix don't worry: the store staff appear to be selling small portable goods via their EasyPay handsets.
1530: With the Apple Store closed, the queue is slowly beginning to grow: the press have left, at least for now, and if you're still wanting an Apple-fix don't worry: the store staff appear to be selling small portable goods via their EasyPay handsets.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Paul Capewell said 3:34PM on 11-08-2007
Wow.
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Joey said 12:55PM on 11-08-2007
Hi Nik! Was that you who was speaking on Newsbeat on Radio 1? Heard you (or your mate) at 5.50pm! Can't believe you're already queuing!
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Fraser Drew said 2:46PM on 11-08-2007
Good Luck Nik.. that rain is mighty fun! Just walked home from school in it in Reading, Bekrs. Absolutely Brilliant.
Unfortunately, me myself and I are holding out for 3G iPhone, EDGE Coverage is truly awful!
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Andrew Woodall said 5:21PM on 11-08-2007
Anyone going to the Birmingham Apple Store at the Bullring tomorrow?
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carldavies said 5:05PM on 11-08-2007
Awesome guys! keep flying the flag!
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Emmanuel said 2:01PM on 11-08-2007
If you'd like to know the weather forecast, just click on your iPhone's weather icon. Oh, right, you don't have one yet...
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Joey said 1:32PM on 11-08-2007
Just spotted you again (sorry I don't mean to be a stalker): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2007/11/08/dlshop08.xml
That is well impressive, considering the awful weather at the moment.
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SteveH said 4:04PM on 11-08-2007
Good luck to all of you. Here in Germany things seem to much more low key. But perhaps that's because it will be on sale across Germany from 09:30 tomorrow morning, with the T-Mobile store in Cologne opening its doors at 00:01 tonight! Anyone who wanted to could reserve theirs in advance so I expect to just walk in tomorrow at 09:30 and pick it up. I could take some photos for those of you in line in Regent Street - you know, just to keep you going until the doors open.
Having said all that, it's kind of a shame that there won't be the sort of Apple hype here. I expect you'll all be treated like rock stars when you leave the store with your iPhone bags.
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Steve said 2:42PM on 11-08-2007
Does anyone know what time t-mobile stores will be selling the iPhone in Germany?
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Mordieu! said 2:03PM on 11-08-2007
A webcam would be a good addition!!! so we can monitor those UK apple fan geeks in line for their precious...
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jacky said 6:04PM on 11-08-2007
Well done, Steve.
http://digg.com/health/chemical_peel
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Damien said 2:47PM on 11-08-2007
Mmmmm My .Mac e-mail is playing up. Cant get a link to confirm the posts! I really hope Apple had 3G to the iPhone before I am due to upgrade my current phone.
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Mike said 2:24PM on 11-08-2007
Just saw you your friend Graham quoted in an article on the BBC news site.
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Matthew Blest said 2:17PM on 11-08-2007
You are on the bbc technology news page... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/default.stm
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Dave said 2:19PM on 11-08-2007
Every newspaper seems to be carrying something about it - unfortunately the london paper thinks the 4GB versions still available priced at £269 ! Oh well, I may just have to go down to the apple store and answer my unlocked iphone :)))
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Arcsbite said 2:20PM on 11-08-2007
why?
I just don't get it.
it's been widely available for months.
I think I'll spend the night in my warm home in Manchester U.K. with my iPhone that is already happily running 02...and it still cost me less than the UK release ones.
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monkeyleader said 2:52PM on 11-08-2007
So I may think about coming down tomorrow as well - not that I really want an iPhone but I fancy just saying hello to you guys - anything you need?
Nige
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Tomek Jasinski said 3:12PM on 11-08-2007
Heyah
I'm third in the queue now behind Nick!
check out my blog
http://www.tomj.org/london-iphone-queuing.html
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Mikey said 3:54PM on 11-08-2007
I might have to pop down sometime tomorrow. The rain today was pretty bad. A bit of flooding around the corner in Oxford St. Hope the weather improves soon.
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Matthew Dearden said 4:20PM on 11-08-2007
crazy u guys are in line allready, if i tried doing that outside my local O2 shop i would wake up stabbed (happend before) and robbed. How i love Liverpool!!!!
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