iPhones roll into Apple Store Fifth Ave. in Manhattan (photos)

[AppleInsider]

It's so close now you can almost feel the chill of freshly brushed aluminum against your palm. There's less than two hours before Apple cuts the ribbon on the largest consumer electronics launch in history.

About an hour ago, iPhones could be seen rolling into the company's flagship shop in Midtown Manhattan (thanks, Alex). Staffers ushered the gadgets into the showroom of the subterranean retail shop on Fifth Avenue using push carts -- the iPhones themselves on top, nestled ever so delicately between layers of protective cloth.

The rumor floating by way of MacNN is that the first 50 people at each Apple Store will receive "a special gift" in addition being some of the first to claim an iPhone.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[desarc]

wow. this is big news. who would'a guessed it?

[Shadow Slayer 26]

haha wow, great news. But anyways, lucky person pushing the cart.

The special gift part is interesting though.

[Wojciechowski]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

The rumor floating by way of MacNN is that the first 50 people at each Apple Store will receive "a special gift" in addition being some of the first to claim an iPhone.

Hopefully it's a bar of iSoap. I'm guessing Greg Packer might need 2.

[JupiterOne]

Originally Posted by Shadow Slayer 26

But anyways, lucky person pushing the cart.

She looks tired. Maybe she was one of the employees that had to spend the night in the store last night. And the dude in the blue shirt struting past her must have been the other one. Wow, they're not even making eye contact. Talk about an awkward moment!

[SpamSandwich]

I'm really getting into the psychosis now... watching live streams from both www.justin.tv/gizmodo AND www.iphonelaunch.tv ... someone please help me...

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by JupiterOne

She looks tired. Maybe she was one of the employees that had to spend the night in the store last night. And the dude in the blue shirt struting past her must have been the other one. Wow, they're not even making eye contact. Talk about an awkward moment!

That store is 24 hours so there is no need for a sleep over.

[mazzy]

Check out that last image! Nobody is working. They are all just standing around drinking Martinis and looking at the iPhone!

[pmjoe]

I wonder if I can get an "open box" discount on one of those?

[ClickAbout]

Spambegone

[britwithgoodteeth]

Originally Posted by pmjoe

I wonder if I can get an "open box" discount on one of those?

. No.

[city]

Removed

[bobmarksdale]

hahah, look at the guy in the last picture (bottom center). He looks pretty mad at the cell phone he's using. Probably getting ready to throw it off a building after he's seen what awaits. Me, I can't afford/don't want to buy one, but I want to just use one and play around with it. Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait for about a month or so before they will be able to keep any in stock.

14 minutes to go. I wonder how the rush to get into the store will end up. (foresees trampling and riot cops)

[Elixir]

i just came back from a store here in flordia and they still have some left.

i tried it out, i was really impressed with the quality of the images and stuff.


i want one but not now

[PBG4 Dude]

Originally Posted by Elixir

i just came back from a store here in flordia and they still have some left.

i tried it out, i was really impressed with the quality of the images and stuff.


i want one but not now

I kinda feel the same way. I had almost convinced myself to buy one, and was at the Apple store when 6PM rolled around to take in the hoopla surrounding initial sales. Came back 90 minutes later and was able to play around on one. Very cool, easy to navigate and fun to use. But for me, it would be more of a toy than something truly usable so I decided to wait and see what happens on the iPhone platform.

[Ptrash]

Originally Posted by bobmarksdale

hahah, look at the guy in the last picture (bottom center). He looks pretty mad at the cell phone he's using. Probably getting ready to throw it off a building after he's seen what awaits. Me, I can't afford/don't want to buy one, but I want to just use one and play around with it. Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait for about a month or so before they will be able to keep any in stock.

14 minutes to go. I wonder how the rush to get into the store will end up. (foresees trampling and riot cops)

Isn't that guy a celebrity? I forget--an actor or artiist or wall street magnate. I think that explains why he's mad: it's about being caught on film. (He think's the photographer is a parapazzi for the Star, when it's really for AI.)

PS if anyone's in the 5th Ave store now post to the list so we know if there's a line. It's almost 6am in NYC on a Sat. morning--I would think the coast would be clear.