iPhone of 2007 and iPhone 3.0
On June 28th, 2007 my mom and I got up early in the morning, packed our laptops, water, beach chairs, and met up at the Apple SOHO store in the city. We arrived to find the line already formed for people just like us waiting for the release of the iPhone the following morning. Both of us have never done anything like this before and given that I just convinced my mom to by some shares in Apple, romanticized to her in following technology news, I did not need to twist her arm to come along with me and share in the experience.
When we arrived we were roughly 20th and 21st in line. Having lived in the area for several years, we both felt comfortable in our environment. As the day wore on, the line kept getting longer and longer. We took turns getting food, walking around the neighborhood, and talking with others who shared in our excitement.
As it began to get dark, the line behind us formed for several blocks and we were now beyond excited that we were going to be a part of history. Television crews, independent film makers, newspaper reporters, and even tech company marketers began showing up handing out free products. As it began to lightly shower, one company even began to give out rain jackets. Being exhausted from the afternoon sun and now having to deal with spending the night in the middle of the city to this day is a story that’s very difficult for any one of us to put into words.
As morning came, people passing by kept stopping and gasping at what the city block of Prince street has turned into. Those not in line, going about their morning day were extremely supportive of those waiting in line. They cheered, asked us questions, and took pictures. Fox Five showed up and began interviewing people in line about their experience. A few of my friends have told me they’ve seen my mom and I on their morning show.
Celebrities began showing up and purchasing spots in line, but for a good cause. Everyone was allowed to purchase 2 iPhones, and those selling the option to buy a second iPhone were donating the marked up cost to various charities. It was a win win situation without greed involved. Doors to the Apple store opened at 9am or 10am (I can’t even remember the exact time). As my mom and I walked in, Apple employees were lined up to our left and right in a line stretching up the stairs of the store, clapping and cheering as we walked up the stairs.
How crazy was it?
This Crazy
Spike Lee
I realize that all of this was for a gadget, we were all buying into a huge marketing ploy and contributing to the hype which in turn would bring in enormous profits and wealth for Apple. Yet, the experience was a reward in itself. After purchasing our Phones, we walked out of the store as celebrities. Cameras and microphones in our faces, traffic halted to a stop with a curious crowd engulfing the streets eager to find out what was going on my mom and I sneaked around to be one of the first to activate our phones. We both had our laptops with us and managed to wrap up the process within minutes.
Fast foreword to today. I still have the very same iPhone I purchased that day. I couldn’t justify purchasing the 3G version that came out last year, having only a few years ago saved and spent an enormous amounts on the first one. Yet, my patience is about to be rewarded with the new iPhones as well as the new iPhone software version 3.0 that’s to be released within a few months. I won’t be in line this time around, and I doubt there will ever be as much hype, yet all of the features that most iPhone users have been desperately waiting for will all be there. I can probably just get away with continuing to keep my old iPhone, sometimes I actually feel like I’m the last person on earth with the original one seeing everyone around me sporting the new sleek ones. However, if the price is right, and I manage to put off some money, I might consider by a bran new one.
