June 29, 2007
iPhone Makes Modest Splash in D.C. Area
About 100 people were lined up outside the Apple Store in Clarendon at 2:45 p.m. today in advance of the 6 p.m. release of the wildly anticipated new iPhone. The first people in line arrived at 8:15 p.m. last night to stake out their ground, though at the halfway point, about 50 people in, one man said he had only been there since noon. Several people in line indicated they were waiting in shifts for friends or strangers they had connected with on craigslist. As it started to drizzle, most line-waiters simply opened umbrellas as they relaxed in folding chairs.
Still, the presence of news cameras seemed slightly overblown -- considering the size of the lines forming to get one of the slick gadgets in other cities, Washington's reaction to the iPhone's release feels somewhat more subdued.
A few more photos after the jump.
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This trade publication, which is based in DC, has a liveblog of the launch of the iPhone in downtown DC.
These Apple fanboys who worship at the Church of Jobs need to get a life. It's a freakin phone, man, get over it! It's not even on a decent network.
I'm not an "early adopter" of techie products. I just finally got around to switching to digital photography about 1 yr ago, but the iPhone does excite me.
However, I'm not switching to ATT/Cingular network. No way.
LOSERS!
Wow a line so you can be the biggest douche at everyones 4 of July party.
Maybe DCers aren't super interested in endorsing a telecom who likes to support our government in illegal domestic spying activities?
Anyone remember? "AT&T: Your World. Delivered. To the NSA."
I'm a Mac geek, and I love their products..love my PowerBook and iPod.
But I can't jump on this bandwagon just yet.It's too new still, and I'm not thrilled that I'd have to cancel out of my cell phone plan ($175 early termination fee), and have to start over with another carrier.
I'm going to wait it out, and see what people say about the new phone.
As of 4pm, the line has extended past the Myer Emco. And at least three TV trucks.
I'm not sure what's sadder, the people in that line, or me commenting on it.
I don't understand the hype. Sure it "has" all the functions of an iPod and internet ready phone, but is it really worth the money for an iPod 1/4th the size of a separate unit you can buy for half the money and internet speeds circa 1994?
Also, I like picture messages. This technological revolution can't even handle that.
I guarantee you, this new iPhone will fail to fill the void of contentment that exists in your souls.
A splash? More like a kerplunk.
-Ex-Hy Hy
Repent, repent! Lord Jobs will smite the for such heresy. May the plague of Microsoft Vista visit thy crappy Dell PC (or whatever ugly black box you call a computer). Praise be unto him, for Lord Steven P. Jobs is thy Lord and Savior. Amen.
But I agree, the AT&T network is worthless and is the main reason I am on the fence about getting the iPhone.
I'm gonna have to say, the only people who are bigger losers than the folks waiting in line are the folks who are posting on blogs about what losers those folks are.
I was waiting for the hype to blow over so I wouldn't have to wait in line. Too much work to do today to take it off.
Then what does that make you, [13]?
It was a long day today but fun! I got paid to wait in line at Clarendon although you can't see me in the pics
After waiting there for just 3 hours, I gave my spot to the guy and ate lunch. Then I went to an AT&T Wireless store in DC and was almost first in line. Everyone seemed happy they were going to get a phone. I was able to get one for myself.
But after I left, I heard from another guy who was in the same line that they sold out. The AT&T stores got far less iphones than the apple store.
On a whim I went to Pentagon City. There weren't any lines and you could walk right up and get a phone! They are open until midnight.
This iphone is so overhyped-(i mean-it is a cell phone afer all, and after seeing the preview on the Apple site, is was like, meh, there's not much that's special about it)-that i think it will become cool NOT to have one, and not to have spent a shitload of money on something that, in reality, is really small potatoes. And i love, love, love my ipod, and really like Apple in general. I know this much is true, however...1) those people that were first in line to get this thing have probably never had sex, and 2) i will wait for Google's phone, which will hopefully be right up the road.
seriously. LOSERS!
coolest phone to come out out yet. my prediction is that most of the haters will end up getting one eventually.
God, it's funny how this iPhone has become the Hillary Clinton of electronics. Either you love it or hate it. I am an apple fanatic and having used their products for a few years now and knowing that they are superior products to other brands (and yes, more expensive but you get what you pay for), I did not seem to have the concerns others did about bugs with this first model release. I walked in the Bethesda Apple store at about 8pm and was out in five minutes, the new iPhone in hand. I agree that it was a poor choice to pick AT&T to be the provider (and let's get this straight, the AT&T in question is not at all the same AT&T that gave info to the NSA, do some research before making accusations) as their service is not nearly as reliable as AT&T and I think it was a poor choice to not have this phone on the 3G network first, but no one will ever be happy no matter what you do. AT&T gave Apple the freedom to design the phone and call plans and activation with no limitations and Apple jumped on that. AT&T will now be forced to step up and improve their networks with all the new customers they will get because of this. A win, win I think.
And let's get this straight. This isn't just a phone. Sure a lot of people will buy it because its the new thing or because its cute or so they can brag. But that does not diminish the fact that this is the most advanced electronic device since the iPod and we all saw how successful that was. If you don't want one, fine, but thank your stars Apple has set a bar for other manufacturers and providers to reach for and we will all benefit from that. And stop being such haters. It's pathetic. People can buy their money on what they want. Enjoy your shitty RAZR phone if you want, but leave the rest of us alone to enjoy our toys.
Once upon people also didn't get that the iPod was a big deal. Like the iphone, it didn't do anything new, it just put existing newish technology into a well integrated, extremely well designed device.
Frankly, I don't care too much if people don't get it. I didn't mind when I had my 1st generation iPod and people though it was an overpriced fad, or when I got Tivo before anyone had heard of it. *shrug*