Customers, press amass for launch of Apple's new iPad
The launch of Apple's new iPad has once again drawn massive crowds and a blitz of media attention as customers — including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak — queued up to buy the third-generation device.
Sales of the new iPad are to occur at 8 a.m. local time in 10 countries. They first began in Australia, and the launches have continued across the globe as the clock has rolled over to March 16.
At Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York City, the massive line waiting on Friday morning for the 8 a.m. sale of the new iPad was so long, it wrapped all the way up W 58th Street.
The line has grown significantly since Wednesday, when the first customer began to wait outside Apple's iconic glass cube in New York.
AppleInsider reader Ryan was on location Friday morning, and sent the photos included below. He has been at numerous product launches at Apple's Fifth Avenue store, and remarked that he has "never seen so much press" when compared to Friday's iPad launch.
Customers line up outside Apple's Fifth Ave store in New York City. Photos credited to Ryan.
In addition to customers, Friday's launch drew a huge media presence.
And in Boston on Boylston Street, a line of about 100 people wrapped around the corner Friday morning. Apple employees handed out coffee to people in line and local TV crews were present, according to AppleInsider reader Roy.
"They are managing the line to keep entrances to nearby businesses clear, so they've actually broken down the queue into 3 segments so far with a line security guard between each segment," he explained.
About 100 customers wait outside the Apple Store on Boston's Boylston Street. Photo credited to Roy.
At Westfield Mall in Century City, Calif., Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak was spotted waiting in line to get his hands on a new iPad. Wozniak explained he is in L.A., rather than San Francisco, because he is to give a keynote speech at the Apple Investor Summit.
"It's just sort of like it's become a ritual, almost," Wozniak explained of waiting in line for the new iPad. "Because I've done it so many times, I'm doing it again. It's not something that you have to do. I mean, no nobody has to wait in line. You can pre-order."
When asked if he could get a pre-release iPad direct from Apple, Wozniak said he wouldn't want to do that. Instead, he said, he'd rather be "genuine, like the real people."
[ View article on AppleInsider ]
Comments
Anyway, proceed with the insanity. Carry on.
Samsung would kill for lineups like these.
Hell, Ford, GM, MicroSoft, ME (DBS Designs by Skip, LLC), would kill to have lineups like these
Skip
Oh man, that is fantastic!!!
What an inspiration and an exemplary attitude for eschewing favouritism and nepotism.
Samsung would kill for lineups like these.
Yet they make ads mocking this. I'd liked to see someone make a parody of a Samsung ad showing no line ...
Steve Wozniak - Apple co-founder - lines up for hours with 'the people' to get his iPad?
Oh man, that is fantastic!!!
What an inspiration and an exemplary attitude for eschewing favouritism and nepotism.
Or, more likely, the opportunity cost of his time is very low.
I want to buy my own from Italy!!!
Yet they make ads mocking this. I'd liked to see someone make a parody of a Samsung ad showing no line ...
Now THAT is a GREAT idea. Someone get on that one!
Yet they make ads mocking this. I'd liked to see someone make a parody of a Samsung ad showing no line ...
Samsung offers the very best in sour grape marketing techniques.
Or, more likely, the opportunity cost of his time is very low.
Steve Wozniak would laugh at the very concept of "opportunity cost of time".
Your time is worth precisely nothing.
I can't wrap my head around Woz waiting in line all night for an Apple product. I assume he could probably have been giving some early access if he wanted so this seems to be focused around publicity. Maybe he enjoys the waiting but my distaste for waiting can't let me see past how one could find it enjoyable even when they don't have to.
I think he just enjoys the social aspect of it. Has to provide him with a great deal of satisfaction that, when you get right down to it, all of this is happening because of him.
Steve Wozniak - Apple co-founder - lines up for hours with 'the people' to get his iPad?
Oh man, that is fantastic!!!
What an inspiration and an exemplary attitude for eschewing favouritism and nepotism.
Love it
I can't wrap my head around Woz waiting in line all night for an Apple product. I assume he could probably have been giving some early access if he wanted so this seems to be focused around publicity. Maybe he enjoys the waiting but my distaste for waiting can't let me see past how one could find it enjoyable even when they don't have to.
Samsung offers the very best in sour grape marketing techniques.
Showing respect to the genius of the product and to Steve.
I think he just enjoys the social aspect of it. Has to provide him with a great deal of satisfaction that, when you get right down to it, all of this is happening because of him.
Showing respect to the genius of the product and to Steve.
Then I really am an anti-queuite because that it not how I'd want to spend my time or show respect to a company I founded.
I'm waiting for fed-ex. Mine departed Newark last night and I'm only half hour west! Is there an "impatient" smiley?
Then I really am an antiqueuite because that it not how I'd want to spend my time or show respect to a company I founded.
Samsung offers the very best in sour grape marketing techniques.
They're not ALL bad, they do also offer the best in displays.
Oops, I injected my politics in to my writing again, funny how I always do that.
Oops, I loved the sound of my own voice again, sorry.
Signed.
the amassed press