Woz leads charge at iPhone's Apple Store Valley Fair debut (photos)
iPhone hopefuls at Santa Clara's official Apple retail store were treated to a unique appearance by the company's co-creator, who both led the queue and provided a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity.
True to his word, Apple's Steve Wozniak on Friday night was first in line when the Valley Fair outlet opened at 6PM -- choosing to stand in line for hours and buy the iPhone himself rather than wait for the free phone that fellow Apple founder Steve Jobs had promised to deliver on Saturday.
The lineup was for him a "celebration" that merited a visit, regardless of his company privileges. "I love to see the future early," he had said in advance of the release. To him, the phone was to be one of the first truly "human" phones meant for everyday users.
Understandably, the very earliest of Apple employees was greeted with a warm reception by both the store's employees and those who had arrived later to wait for the phone. But while he was treated as a VIP and had helped distribute fan-made T-shirts commemorating the event, Woz was evidently comfortable with the proceedings, mixing with the crowd instead of making the hasty exit associated with a celebrity.
Woz was also mindful of the retail stores' two-phone limit and walked out of the store with no more than those who followed afterwards, despite his ultimate intent to buy phones for all three of his children as soon as possible.
True to his word, Apple's Steve Wozniak on Friday night was first in line when the Valley Fair outlet opened at 6PM -- choosing to stand in line for hours and buy the iPhone himself rather than wait for the free phone that fellow Apple founder Steve Jobs had promised to deliver on Saturday.
The lineup was for him a "celebration" that merited a visit, regardless of his company privileges. "I love to see the future early," he had said in advance of the release. To him, the phone was to be one of the first truly "human" phones meant for everyday users.
Understandably, the very earliest of Apple employees was greeted with a warm reception by both the store's employees and those who had arrived later to wait for the phone. But while he was treated as a VIP and had helped distribute fan-made T-shirts commemorating the event, Woz was evidently comfortable with the proceedings, mixing with the crowd instead of making the hasty exit associated with a celebrity.
Woz was also mindful of the retail stores' two-phone limit and walked out of the store with no more than those who followed afterwards, despite his ultimate intent to buy phones for all three of his children as soon as possible.
Comments
Woz's baby is all grows up!
BTW, iWoz was a great book.
Wow. He's put on a lot of weight.
and that's so cool to see your company so popular. wow.
Wow. He's put on a lot of weight.
He's always been larger, and now he's old; so naturally he would. So has Steve (Jobs), but he has never been as heavy as Woz.
And he took home no more than the limit, like everyone else.
Cool. Very cool.
Thank you Steve!
That tells you a lot about Woz. To stand in line and feel the experience of getting the phone first hand with a lot of people who are into Apple, the company he cofounded, instead of just waiting for one to arrive the next day, tells you just how cool a guy he is. He probably COULD have had an iPhone a month ago, but wanted to have that EXPERIENCE.
And he took home no more than the limit, like everyone else.
Cool. Very cool.
Thank you Steve!
Actually, Jobs called Woz a few weeks ago and asked Woz if he wanted an iPhone shipped to his house. There's an interview out there somewhere explaining his reasoning for waiting in line.
Actually, Jobs called Woz a few weeks ago and asked Woz if he wanted an iPhone shipped to his house. There's an interview out there somewhere explaining his reasoning for waiting in line.
Woz is definitely a cool guy. I'm glad he showed up and mixed it up with the fans.
At the Palo Alto store, Steve Jobs showed up, along with Bill Atkinson (who waited overnight in line) and Andy Hertzfeld. You could see Steve smiling all the way to the bank.
At the Palo Alto store, Steve Jobs showed up, along with Bill Atkinson (who waited overnight in line) and Andy Hertzfeld. You could see Steve smiling all the way to the bank.
Ooh, Hertzfeld. He isn't still working for Apple, is he?
/Adrian
Steve is suck a nice guy!
I hope this was a simple spelling error.
Sooooooo cool to see some of the originals mixing it up with with Apple's fans at a product launch like this. If those guys thought the iPhone was going to be a bust, they wouldn't have set foot near an Apple Store. So, just that tells me this is going to be a "decent" product for Apple. (Ya think??!!)
Woz is either a pimp and doing this for fun....or got paid off and is a tool. I think he's pimp! I wonder if he sees any scratch from the new products and iPhone and such.
Even you have to admit that that was a pretty dumb post, joking, or not.
Even you have to admit that that was a pretty dumb post, joking, or not.
I know, after I clicked submit I was like "why did I waste my time typing that?"
To make it up to you I'll buy you an iPhone Mel.
I know, after I clicked submit I was like "why did I waste my time typing that?"
To make it up to you I'll buy you an iPhone Mel.
Thanks.
I always knew that you were a stand-up kind of guy.
But, um, could you wait until they have 3G and real third party apps?