As per Mat’s post below, I’ve joined the hordes of journalists camped out in lines. Most of the other people at this AT&T store in my hometown of Newton, MA seem to be your average consumer, though. When I arrived at 2PM, there were about fifteen people in line ahead of me, and since then, about four more have showed up. I had tried the Apple Store about a mile down the road (which has the virtue of being inside), but the line there was more like eighty to a hundred people.
It’s not too hot out (69°) according but I am sitting on hot parking lot asphalt, and there’s little shade unfortunately. So far, we’ve had a number of reactions from passersby, including the UPS guy who shook his head and said “You guys are troopers. I wish I could be out there waiting.” Me, I’m just trying to not get sunburned.
There appears to be open Wi-Fi from the bookstore next door, so I’ll let you know if anything exciting happens. Like, oh, we get phones. Crap. 3 hours and change to go.
[2:57PM] Update: One of the guys next to me went in and talked to the AT&T guys, who claimed that they were receiving less than 100, and “probably closer to 50.” I’m around 15th, so I think I’ve got a decent shot. More as it happens…
[3:30PM] Update: A UPS guy just got in line with us. No kidding.
[4:30PM] Update: I believe they have just closed the store. At least, it sounded like a deadbolt being thrown. 90 minutes to go.
[4:39PM] Update: The AT&T guys apparently sent out for Domino’s.
[5:03PM] Update: Now they’re, er, washing the windows. Fascinating stuff. Really.
[5:24PM] Update: They appear to be unpacking boxes inside the store, but it’s hard to tell. I never saw a delivery truck…
[5:35PM] Update: They’re putting up signs now. Looks like we’re in the final stretch.
[5:40PM] Update: Here are the management: first seven in, then one in and one out. They’re handing out brochures, and they’ve got two models. One per customer, and all accessories are available, they say. Getting under way in just 20 minutes here. “We…should have enough for everybody…”
A hot parking lot with boiling asphalt, eh? Boy, lucky you!
Hey, is it true that all new iPhone users are meeting at 8 PM tonight at R J Crowleys Bar & Grill to compare ringtones and run slideshows of all their pictures? Wow, is that ever cool, or what?
Seriously, don't forget to hydrate, and to slather on the PF-150 sunscreen. Should you start getting a little light-headed, try to refrain from mumbling "It'll soon be over, the iPhone will eventually be mine."
Ah, yes, "... and one touchscreen to bind them all."
I am less than 2 miles away from you but I can't be there. I'm dying over here in Brighton!
Hmmm...I had a Cingular guy today tell me the stores will ONLY get 5 phones per store. But then it was CINGULAR store, not an AT&T branded.
But 5? Those won't last long.
I was at the Apple Store at Chestnut Hill, figuring that being away from mass transit and not right off the highway it would be a good choice. And it was: didn't get there until 10am when the mall opened and only about 20-30 ahead of us. I think there were about 150 people when they finally opened the doors at 6. I heard Cambridgeside Galleria got twice that, so good call