Insanity: First iPhone line forms in Manhattan (four days early)

***AppleInsider*** · 06-25-2007, 10:16 PM

Two individuals can now flaunt the crown of "the very first iPhone line waiters", having camped out Monday morning on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk more than four days before the Apple device is due to go on sale.

At 5:00 a.m. on Monday, the two iPhone enthusiasts stationed themselves outside Apple's Fifth Avenue flagship shop in New York City's Manhattan borough, assuring their first and second places in line. Yes -- they plan to remain there till Friday evening and are seeking food and MetroCards as donations.

The two were first discovered by local blog site Vicarious Music , which spotted them Monday afternoon holding signs pronouncing their early arrival.

In a later interview with Gizmodo, the head of the line (known thus far only as Greg) explained that he was a single retiree, affording him all the time in the world to 'get his iPhone.' Greg's plan after buying iPhone? To "take a look at it" and "see how it works." His left-hand man remains unidentified.

Both campers are equipped for the remaining four days of the wait with soft seats, soft drinks, and coolers full of grub -- including, as the interview (below) reveals, at least one bright yellow banana.

Video:

Watch the the very first interview of the very first iPhone line waiter

Update: "Greg" has a blog...

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

camroidv27 · 06-25-2007, 10:28 PM

Just.... speechless.

Four days?

Sorry, but the only thing that sticks out in my mind about four days from now is that my library book is due. I don't think there will be any line at the book depository slot fortunately.

To each their own. For me, I'm happy with my Nokia 6103 and Palm Pilot z31. Total cost: $200. The palm plays video and audio and can use the cell to grab my e-mail. No need for an iPhone.

CRHain88 · 06-25-2007, 10:31 PM

Blah! And I thought waiting overnight was too much! That's going to be two stinky men!

Although I will say, I'm annoyed that he's asking for food and metro-cards (meaning that he really won't be sitting there, or he plans to barter with them?).

Hopefully this doesn't kick of panic causing everyone else to start waiting, at least here in Philly?

mcloki · 06-25-2007, 10:34 PM

And the craziness has just started. Unfortunately I live in Canada and that means I don't know how long I will have to wait. Good luck to you two. Hope it doesn't rain.

MacsRGood4U · 06-25-2007, 10:43 PM

Oh SNaP!! These two homies from New York just made all you nerdz in San Fran look like chump, lazy ass, rich-bitched, fan boyz!!@!

-MRG

k2director · 06-25-2007, 10:45 PM

Jeez, the guy looks homeless with the shabby clothes and handwritten sign. I hope this doesn't get aired again and again on network TV. It's a turn-off....

josa92 · 06-25-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k2director

Jeez, the guy looks homeless with the shabby clothes and handwritten sign. I hope this doesn't get aired again and again on network TV. It's a turn-off....

mmhmm...
and i thought friday at 5 was early... then i realized how stupid that was.

I love how the title is insanity.

bedouin · 06-25-2007, 11:12 PM

He sounds like Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

CommonSense · 06-25-2007, 11:13 PM

I WOULD say this embarrasses us Mac fans, but I've got a sneaking suspicion this isn't a Mac guy. This guy is like the 70% or so of iPod owners that sully their lone Apple products by connecting it to a Windows-based PC. Another bandwagon-hopper that I, as a Mac user since The Darkest Days In Apple History, gladly spit upon.

Yes, I realize I just fulfilled every cliche about the Mac user, and created a few new ones, in that paragraph alone. (shrug)

k2director · 06-25-2007, 11:29 PM

Would some kind forum member in the NYC area stop by the Apple Store, and give this guy a nicer shirt to wear, and a comb?

Please? The Apple world would be grateful...

Wojciechowski · 06-25-2007, 11:34 PM

...a Yankee fan nonetheless. Guess he has nothing else but an iPhone to lift his spirits this year.

McHuman · 06-25-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedouin

He sounds like Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

He doesn't sound like Carl..he IS Carl!

EruIthildur · 06-26-2007, 12:07 AM

Better him than me.

joe28753 · 06-26-2007, 12:12 AM

just sent greg some fanmail.. so pretty much.. i hope they get a lot of fanmail.. how cool would that be?

eAi · 06-26-2007, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe28753

just sent greg some fanmail.. so pretty much.. i hope they get a lot of fanmail.. how cool would that be?

What did you address it to? "The guy sitting by the big glass box in Manhattan"?

solipsism · 06-26-2007, 12:21 AM

How long before someone will edit that pic of his pathetic sign to say what we're all rally thinking?

desarc · 06-26-2007, 12:31 AM

i got me a chair, a banana and some gatorade. i'm gonna be here for 5 days. i wanna take a look at it and see how it works. dahhhh ok george.

slogan621 · 06-26-2007, 12:39 AM

He's single? Imagine that...

k2director · 06-26-2007, 12:40 AM

I'm afraid he's going to discourage other people from lining up at Apple's flagship store.

Really: would you want to be seen sitting next to him? It would make me pause, that's for sure.

fraklinc · 06-26-2007, 12:41 AM

imagine that when friday come and the phone goes on sale that dudes credit comes back bad or something

slogan621 · 06-26-2007, 12:42 AM

He should also be asking for donations for the cost of the iPhone...

slogan621 · 06-26-2007, 12:45 AM

Here in Southern California, we see guys that look like that, holding signs like that, on freeway offramps all the time.

**JeffDM** · 06-26-2007, 12:56 AM

I'm sorry, but I think there's a fine line between "enthusiasm" and "dumbass". Do two people parking on a bench really make a line? I suppose it might, but it's a story I'd be too embarrassed to run.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommonSense

I WOULD say this embarrasses us Mac fans, but I've got a sneaking suspicion this isn't a Mac guy. This guy is like the 70% or so of iPod owners that sully their lone Apple products by connecting it to a Windows-based PC. Another bandwagon-hopper that I, as a Mac user since The Darkest Days In Apple History, gladly spit upon.

Yes, I realize I just fulfilled every cliche about the Mac user, and created a few new ones, in that paragraph alone. (shrug)

I'd say that you are an embarrassment too, for being some sort of "intellectual purity" fascist.

dontlookleft · 06-26-2007, 12:58 AM

so i told a friend this story and the conversation went in this direction...

Me:Maybe they'll get mugged.
Friend:I sure hope so.

kcmac · 06-26-2007, 01:05 AM

I'm thinkin he will sell his place in line. Four days of staying power just doesn't look like somethin this guy has ever done.

TitoC · 06-26-2007, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by bedouin

Quote:

He sounds like Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

"Hey, you kids . . . uh get outta my pool!!!! . . . but leave the porn mags on da floor there."

"Hey, you got credentials?"

applgeek · 06-26-2007, 01:31 AM

WHy is this guy asking for metrocards? Why would this guy need metrocards? He isnt asking for them, but isnt it better to list $, or something more appropriate for the occasion?

He will likely get mugged, sitting in a lawn chair in NY at night. Some homeless guy will want food, and he's packed.

I wonder if this guy got a tent. It looks like he has lawn chairs to eat, sleep, ect. in. I have a feeling this guy will have his spot taken when he has to take a leak. He likely
Because this guy is getting media attention, it would be smart if he got a Shirt with an ad on it. If i lived in manhattan (or new york for that matter) i would ask his shirt size, but im in california. Oh well.

As stated earlier, it would be nice if he didnt look like a homeless guy (and had a typed sign.)

k2director · 06-26-2007, 01:39 AM

NEW THEORY!

I think he's actually being paid to wait in line for someone else.

* He's unemployed, so why not do it for the money?
* He didn't seem to really know much about the iPhone either... "I'll see how it works".

I bet that's it. Somebody put him up to this...

joe28753 · 06-26-2007, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eAi

What did you address it to? "The guy sitting by the big glass box in Manhattan"?

haha, yea, i addressed it to "Greg, first in line for iPhone"

then under that i put the apple store address. then i put a little note in the corner for the postman saying he's probably outside in line, or might be inside the store. (don't know when the letter will get there)

eat@me · 06-26-2007, 02:09 AM

he's being paid to wait on behalf of someone else and is also begging getting national TV exposure.

What a LOSER.

Carl IS the PC Guy

Wojciechowski · 06-26-2007, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by applgeek

He will likely get mugged, sitting in a lawn chair in NY at night. Some homeless guy will want food, and he's packed.

It's Fifth Avenue and the store is open 24/7 and well lit. I really doubt he is going to get mugged. Maybe harassed by some crazy homeless guy, but that's about it.

solipsism · 06-26-2007, 02:46 AM

.......

solipsism · 06-26-2007, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k2director

I'm afraid he's going to discourage other people from lining up at Apple's flagship store.

Really: would you want to be seen sitting next to him? It would make me pause, that's for sure.

I hear he was hired by Sprint to turn people off to the iPhone.

solipsism · 06-26-2007, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wojciechowski

It's Fifth Avenue and the store is open 24/7 and well lit. I really doubt he is going to get mugged. Maybe harassed by some crazy homeless guy, but that's about it.

I believe there are video cameras pointing at the store too.

jfrater · 06-26-2007, 03:46 AM

I queued from 3 in the morning for MacWorld this year so I could be at the keynote that announced the iPhone. I was very impressed with myself, but these guys really take the cake!

I think they deserve to get their iPhones for free.

10 Coolest Apple Related Websites

radiospace · 06-26-2007, 03:52 AM

I hope he brought some sunscreen. Sitting outside 4 days straight during the longest days of the year without even a hat or sunglasses seems like a pretty major mistake.

solipsism · 06-26-2007, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrater

I think they deserve to get their iPhones for free.

I disagree. They should be removed. If that can't legally be done then Apple needs to announce that they will start the "official" line somewhere they are not in order to get them to leave. It's these super-Apple-zealots that give us regular-Apple-zealots a bad name.

bavlondon2 · 06-26-2007, 04:14 AM

Madness

murphyweb · 06-26-2007, 04:17 AM

I think Apple will probably be very happy with this.

When the PS3 launched in London Sony unexpectedly gave the first 100 in line a 40" HDTV for their trouble! I wonder if Apple will give out Mac Pro's to Greg and his chums?

Probably not ;-)

solipsism · 06-26-2007, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphyweb

I think Apple will probably be very happy with this.

When the PS3 launched in London Sony unexpectedly gave the first 100 in line a 40" HDTV for their trouble! I wonder if Apple will give out Power Mac's to Greg and his chums?

Probably not ;-)

Apple will be handing out T-shirts that say iLoser on them.

06-25-2007, 10:16 PM	#1
*AppleInsider* Kasper's Automated Slave Join Date: Nov 1997 Posts: 6,153	Insanity: First iPhone line forms in Manhattan (four days early) Two individuals can now flaunt the crown of "the very first iPhone line waiters", having camped out Monday morning on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk more than four days before the Apple device is due to go on sale. At 5:00 a.m. on Monday, the two iPhone enthusiasts stationed themselves outside Apple's Fifth Avenue flagship shop in New York City's Manhattan borough, assuring their first and second places in line. Yes -- they plan to remain there till Friday evening and are seeking food and MetroCards as donations. The two were first discovered by local blog site Vicarious Music , which spotted them Monday afternoon holding signs pronouncing their early arrival. In a later interview with Gizmodo, the head of the line (known thus far only as Greg) explained that he was a single retiree, affording him all the time in the world to 'get his iPhone.' Greg's plan after buying iPhone? To "take a look at it" and "see how it works." His left-hand man remains unidentified. Both campers are equipped for the remaining four days of the wait with soft seats, soft drinks, and coolers full of grub -- including, as the interview (below) reveals, at least one bright yellow banana. Video: Watch the the very first interview of the very first iPhone line waiter Update: "Greg" has a blog... [ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

06-25-2007, 10:28 PM	#2
camroidv27 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 329	..... Just.... speechless. Four days? Sorry, but the only thing that sticks out in my mind about four days from now is that my library book is due. I don't think there will be any line at the book depository slot fortunately. To each their own. For me, I'm happy with my Nokia 6103 and Palm Pilot z31. Total cost: $200. The palm plays video and audio and can use the cell to grab my e-mail. No need for an iPhone. openSuSe 11.2, 32 and 64 bit, for Mac and PC! "Shiny capt'n. Everything thing is A-Okay." Last edited by camroidv27; 06-25-2007 at 10:36 PM..

06-25-2007, 10:34 PM	#4
mcloki Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 71	Lat the festivities begin And the craziness has just started. Unfortunately I live in Canada and that means I don't know how long I will have to wait. Good luck to you two. Hope it doesn't rain. Make it idiotproof and they'll just make a better idiot.

06-25-2007, 10:43 PM	#5
MacsRGood4U Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,739	Oh SNaP!! These two homies from New York just made all you nerdz in San Fran look like chump, lazy ass, rich-bitched, fan boyz!!@! -MRG Things Ain't What They Seem!

06-26-2007, 12:21 AM	#16
solipsism Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Ansible Posts: 11,810	How long before someone will edit that pic of his pathetic sign to say what we're all rally thinking? Last edited by solipsism; 06-26-2007 at 02:46 AM..

06-25-2007, 10:31 PM	#3
CRHain88 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36	Blah! And I thought waiting overnight was too much! That's going to be two stinky men! Although I will say, I'm annoyed that he's asking for food and metro-cards (meaning that he really won't be sitting there, or he plans to barter with them?). Hopefully this doesn't kick of panic causing everyone else to start waiting, at least here in Philly?

06-25-2007, 10:45 PM	#6
k2director Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 79	Jeez, the guy looks homeless with the shabby clothes and handwritten sign. I hope this doesn't get aired again and again on network TV. It's a turn-off....

06-25-2007, 11:12 PM	#8
bedouin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 51	He sounds like Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

06-25-2007, 11:13 PM	#9
CommonSense Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 108	I WOULD say this embarrasses us Mac fans, but I've got a sneaking suspicion this isn't a Mac guy. This guy is like the 70% or so of iPod owners that sully their lone Apple products by connecting it to a Windows-based PC. Another bandwagon-hopper that I, as a Mac user since The Darkest Days In Apple History, gladly spit upon. Yes, I realize I just fulfilled every cliche about the Mac user, and created a few new ones, in that paragraph alone. (shrug)

06-25-2007, 11:29 PM	#10
k2director Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 79	Would some kind forum member in the NYC area stop by the Apple Store, and give this guy a nicer shirt to wear, and a comb? Please? The Apple world would be grateful...

06-25-2007, 11:34 PM	#11
Wojciechowski Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 155	...a Yankee fan nonetheless. Guess he has nothing else but an iPhone to lift his spirits this year.

06-26-2007, 12:07 AM	#13
EruIthildur Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 165	Better him than me.

06-26-2007, 12:12 AM	#14
joe28753 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 3	just sent greg some fanmail.. so pretty much.. i hope they get a lot of fanmail.. how cool would that be?

06-26-2007, 12:31 AM	#17
desarc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 244	i got me a chair, a banana and some gatorade. i'm gonna be here for 5 days. i wanna take a look at it and see how it works. dahhhh ok george. -- 16gb iPhone // 17" MBP core2duo, stock // 17" lampshade iMac G4 1Ghz --

06-26-2007, 12:39 AM	#18
slogan621 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	No suprise He's single? Imagine that...

06-26-2007, 12:40 AM	#19
k2director Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 79	I'm afraid he's going to discourage other people from lining up at Apple's flagship store. Really: would you want to be seen sitting next to him? It would make me pause, that's for sure.

06-26-2007, 12:41 AM	#20
fraklinc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 206	what if imagine that when friday come and the phone goes on sale that dudes credit comes back bad or something

06-26-2007, 12:42 AM	#21
slogan621 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	An obvious blunder... He should also be asking for donations for the cost of the iPhone...

06-26-2007, 12:45 AM	#22
slogan621 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	What's the big deal Here in Southern California, we see guys that look like that, holding signs like that, on freeway offramps all the time.

06-26-2007, 12:58 AM	#24
dontlookleft Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 157	so i told a friend this story and the conversation went in this direction... Me:Maybe they'll get mugged. Friend:I sure hope so.

06-26-2007, 01:05 AM	#25
kcmac Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 1,014	I'm thinkin he will sell his place in line. Four days of staying power just doesn't look like somethin this guy has ever done. Snow Leopard is awesome on my 13" MacBook Pro.

06-26-2007, 01:31 AM	#27
applgeek Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3	Asking for metrocards? WHy is this guy asking for metrocards? Why would this guy need metrocards? He isnt asking for them, but isnt it better to list $, or something more appropriate for the occasion? He will likely get mugged, sitting in a lawn chair in NY at night. Some homeless guy will want food, and he's packed. I wonder if this guy got a tent. It looks like he has lawn chairs to eat, sleep, ect. in. I have a feeling this guy will have his spot taken when he has to take a leak. He likely Because this guy is getting media attention, it would be smart if he got a Shirt with an ad on it. If i lived in manhattan (or new york for that matter) i would ask his shirt size, but im in california. Oh well. As stated earlier, it would be nice if he didnt look like a homeless guy (and had a typed sign.)

06-26-2007, 01:39 AM	#28
k2director Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 79	NEW THEORY! I think he's actually being paid to wait in line for someone else. * He's unemployed, so why not do it for the money? * He didn't seem to really know much about the iPhone either... "I'll see how it works". I bet that's it. Somebody put him up to this...

06-26-2007, 02:09 AM	#30
eat@me Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Hollywood Posts: 271	PC Guy Gets Paid to wait while begging he's being paid to wait on behalf of someone else and is also begging getting national TV exposure. What a LOSER. Carl IS the PC Guy

06-26-2007, 02:46 AM	#32
solipsism Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Ansible Posts: 11,810	.......

06-26-2007, 03:46 AM	#35
jfrater Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2	And I thought I was Crazy I queued from 3 in the morning for MacWorld this year so I could be at the keynote that announced the iPhone. I was very impressed with myself, but these guys really take the cake! I think they deserve to get their iPhones for free. 10 Coolest Apple Related Websites

06-26-2007, 03:52 AM	#36
radiospace Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 123	I hope he brought some sunscreen. Sitting outside 4 days straight during the longest days of the year without even a hat or sunglasses seems like a pretty major mistake.

06-26-2007, 04:14 AM	#38
bavlondon2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 661	Madness

06-26-2007, 04:17 AM	#39
murphyweb Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 293	I think Apple will probably be very happy with this. When the PS3 launched in London Sony unexpectedly gave the first 100 in line a 40" HDTV for their trouble! I wonder if Apple will give out Mac Pro's to Greg and his chums? Probably not ;-) Last edited by murphyweb; 06-26-2007 at 04:22 AM..

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode