iPhone 4 launch: In line at the Santa Monica store
Apple Store employees haven't shown up outside yet (the store opens in about an hour from now), but the mood is genial -- even about 500 people back in line, where I am to try and get my Retina Display-enabled handset, people are expecting to pick up phones. But we'll see -- I assume if they don't have enough, they'll come out and tell us before too long.
One other thing: halfway down the line, there's a sign up that says "Spot for $ale." I can't imagine that anyone would take that offer quite yet, but I guess we'll see what happens if it turns out supplies are limited.
(Updates after the break!)
6:06am PST: Apple employee spotted. "We've got plenty of phones. We haven't counted them yet, but we have plenty of phones. They expected this."
6:31am PST: The line moved, but only because they asked people to pack up the tents. Rumor has it that some line waiters have been here since Tuesday, but the more likely story is 8:30pm last night.
7:05am PST: It's go time. The preorder line has begun moving, very slowly. There are probably over 1000 people here in both lines, way more than ever showed up at the iPad launch. Employees are still giving every indication that there are plenty of phones to go around, though.
7:54am PST: An Apple employee just walked down the line counting, and didn't tell anyone to leave. Seems like a good sign, no?
9:02am PST: Still here. The line is moving, but very slowly. The line's filling in behind me, too -- this is the busiest launch I've ever seen here at this store.
9:22am PST: The line is getting antsy, breaking up a bit. Rumor has it the spot for sale went for $200. I'm still here for you, dear readers -- if it was just me, I probably would have given up by now and come back this weekend.
9:47am PST: The line hasn't moved in 30 minutes or so -- someone said the activation computers are down inside. What a mess. At this point, I don't even want to buy a new iPhone any more. I'm giving it another 20 minutes or so, but if nothing moves, I'll go home and decide if I want to come back later.
10:48am PST: I'm back at home now. Gave up at about 10:30 -- the line wasn't moving at all. At the front of the line, they were only letting in people who had reserved iPhones already, so I'm guessing it would have easily been another few hours' wait, and I wasn't even at the back of the line any more. Very frustrating -- I like Apple as much as the next guy, but waiting for over four hours just to pay $200 for a phone upgrade I don't even need? I'll pass on that experience. I probably will still get an iPhone 4, although it'll be a few days from now, when I can just walk into the store and put down my money.
Share
Source: http://www.tuaw.com/tag/iPhone4/
Categories
I'm in line right now at the Santa Monica Apple Store for the iPhone 4 launch, and, just like in the rest of the country, the line is just...
Add a Comment
4:00PM - Line has shortened a bit and is now to about J.Crew. Thinking I'll hop in line around 5 in an attempt to get there before people get off work and get in line.
10 hours in and the line for pre-orders is still barely moving. Well played Apple. Well played.
I talked to one of the Apple employees on by way back to the office. She said if you have a pre-order, as long as your in line by closing, you will get a phone. She's the second to confirm that, so let's hope they aren't making stuff up.
I'll check back around 3 or 4 and leave an update.
12:00 (noooooon) - line is a little shorter. Only stretches to about Chipotlete / Monsoon. Eating lunch next to the line and marked someone to see how fast the line is moving. Assuming they actually hold pre orders until closing I'll check back a bit later.
June 24 2010 at 3:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyi just stopped by and the person in front of the reserve line had been there since 7pm - it was noon.
hoping you're right and around closing will be better.
Haha. Our writer Jeff was there at 2am and he was supposed to take video...but from what I can tell didn't.
June 24 2010 at 2:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm waiting for the line to die down before I get in it. Likelihood? Not good. I work down the road .. I'll try to keep this updated as I check the line.
11:00AM - Line is still stretching to just shy of Wilshire. Looks like they're taking one person from the reservation line in at a time.
how was the line moving for reserved customers?
June 24 2010 at 1:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe lines weren't just long in the US. They were long everywhere. In the UK it took me 4.5hrs to get a pre-ordered sim-free iPhone4. Literally, just to walk in, pay and walk out again. 4.5hrs...
June 24 2010 at 12:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAsk around, I'll bet good money more than half of those around you are assistants/P.A.'s sent out to get new iPhones for their masters and/or their clients.
June 24 2010 at 11:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyKeep updating and letting us know how it is going! I appreciate it!
June 24 2010 at 11:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm VERY glad UPS gave me mine yesterday!! Other than being the 1st iPhone4 activation for the AT&T call center girl (and she did great!) everything went smooth! And yes, retina is the word!!
June 24 2010 at 10:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDeals of the Day
more deals- $15 Apple iTunes Gift Card for $8 for new Saveology customers
- Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker Station for iPhone / iPod for $38 + $6 s&h
- Retro 80's Case for iPhone for $11 + $2 s&h
- HHI 360 Dual-View Stand Case for new iPad w/ $2 credit for $12 + $3 s&h
- HHI ReElegant Smart Cover Companion Case for new iPad from $5 + $3 s&h
- Used Apple iPad 64GB WiFi + 3G for $240 + free shipping
Software Updates
more updatesFeatured Stories
more stories
Popular Stories
TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
12 Comments