Lines Already For iPhone 2.0?
2:06 pm, May 22nd, 2008, Leander Kahney
Blogger Jon Accarrino of Methodshop reports that lines are already forming in NYC for iPhone 2.0, which is rumored to be launched on June 9 (the first day of Apple’s WWDC and Steve Jobs’ opening speech).
Jon went by Apple’s 5th Avenue store this morning and found a line of about 50 people all waiting for iPhones — or so retail staffers told him.
Jon thinks the liner-uppers are already waiting up for the new iPhone.
Noting that many in line are Asian, Jon speculates they are from NYC’s Chinatown, and are being paid to wait in line. But I find it hard to believe that people are willing to pay a line-sitter for two weeks or more — especially when there’s no indication there will shortages, which prompted the lines first time around.
Reading between the lines of Jon’s report, I’ll bet they are being paid to snap up dwindling supplies of iPhone 1.0 to be sent overseas. As long as Apple places restrictions on the number of iPhones people can buy (currently 5) and there are not yet official channels, there’ll be demand for grey market iPhones.
Posted by Leander Kahney in iPhone | Comment on this article
All this talk circulating the internets of people supposedly lining up for iPhone 2.0 is just silly. I’m sure that most of these people are still trying to get their hands on iPhone 1.0. A few days ago, I stopped by the SoHo Apple Store, and there were 5 or 6 elderly Chinese ladies lined up outside. I asked a staff member inside, and she told me that they were waiting to see if the store would get any iPhones in stock that day. The ladies definitely didn’t fit the profile of iPhone-users. I’m pretty sure that any phones they get their hands on are destined to be shipped overseas.
John, on May 22nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I think the reason for the line is to get an iPhone and send it down to Cuba since the US just removed cell phone restrictions to Cuba.
CB, on May 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
It’s so they can be pissed off when the price is dropped in a few months. Will the early-early adopters never learn?
Alan Christensen, on May 22nd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Given Apple’s marketing acumen, I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t hire these people to stand in line. Guerrilla marketing, and all that…
Michael Zimmer, on May 22nd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Engadget observes this line is for “no reason”:
» http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/22/iphone-line-forms-at-apples-flagship-for-absolutely-no-reason/
@Michael Zimmer: Interestingly, some thought it was Improv Everywhere. But when’s the last time Apple did something like that, if ever? (I don’t recall…)
Torley Lives, on May 22nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I have to say it’s pretty sad that these people’s lives are so incredibly shallow and uninteresting that they would even consider doing this for one night, let alone 17 or 18 days. Time to reassess their priorities, I think. Good luck to them, I hope they end up happy, but I very much doubt they will.
JW, on May 22nd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Sorry guys for posting in comments but couldn’t find any contact email….
have you see this one?
http://my.break.com/content/view.aspx?ContentID=506620
oh my god
David, on May 23rd, 2008 at 6:33 am
They’re running out of 1G iPhones, Occam’s Razor says…
Also, assuming they’re getting paid because they’re oriental is so flagrantly raciest it makes me sick. So, what, poor lil’ chinaman get paid to stand in line for big rich white man? What the fuck, man?
Church of Apple, on May 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
it’s not racist, ignorant, PC fool.
it’s an insightful observation and may have some validity.
Pjazz, on May 24th, 2008 at 8:14 am
The fact that it might sound racist doesn’t make it any less true … !
So the question is: is it less racist if it is true?
phaty, on May 25th, 2008 at 12:52 am