After seeing a few folks in line this morning I decided to swing by after work and see just how many folks in our area were going to be standing and waiting. I pulled in about 5:30pm and sure enough the line was a bit larger. There were 65 folks to my count. I pulled out the video camera and talked to a few. At least those who wanted to talk. One guy says he didn't want to be on camera because he had cut from work early. The video speaks for itself to a degree as we hear from some real folk about their expectations. No celebrities here, although there were quite a few coolers, and at least one fender bender.
I did talk to the store manager a bit and he said he wouldn't be able to satisfy everyone there tonight. That will be painful I'm sure. The store was letting 10 customers in at a time and you had to be buying in order to get in. If you just wanted to look you couldn't. If you had questions they would answer them in front of the store.
I had to leave right as they were opening the store to get back to the theatre but saw the first 10 get in. (They wouldn't let me film through the door. And as they were let in they were asked how many they were purchasing and that was shouted to a rep who then took them to a register.
If I'm not too tired I might swing back after the show tonight to see how they are doing.
Fascinating stuff.
And for more iPhone video fun, check out my buddy James Kendrick's experience. Hysterical.
UPDATE: I swung by the AT&T Store after work later. No lines, but also no browsing. I have no idea what the Apple Store experience is like but at this AT&T Store they have no iPhones on display and aren't allowed to. No lookie unless you are going to plop down some cash. The customer makes his purchase and can't even take the phone out of the box. Has to leave the store with it sealed or so they say. They tell me that they don't know when they will have them on display. I find that interesting.
Also, the AT&T guys tell me they can't purchase one for six months. If a family member purchases one they can't bring it on the sales floor.
Hearing rumors that the EDGE service has been upgraded to coincide with the launch I asked one of the sales guys to demonstrate it on another device. He does, and knowing how poorly the Telcos treat our area I'm not surprised that it is pretty slow going to load a web page. Of course the sales guy could neither confirm or deny that the EDGE service has been upgraded. If that's corporate crap, it is more than silly.
