Live from the 3GS Launch at 5th Avenue
19 06 2009This is our 3GS liveblog, straight from the plaza outside the Apple Store at Fifth Avenue. Keep it bookmarked and we’ll keep you up to date. If you’re viewing this from the homepage, you’re only seeing our latest update! Hit the jump for more.
June 19 7:32 PM
We’ve purchased and activated an iPhone 3GS in-store thanks to the friendly help of a 5th Avenue Apple Store employee.
Needless to say, we’re ridiculously tired. There are still plenty of stories to tell, but this liveblog is officially over. Stay tuned.
June 19 4:57 AM
After a little sleep (or something like it) we’ve been tranferred a few feet closer to the cube. We are now very-officially first and a representative with an iPod touch is moving through the line confirming reservations.
June 19 12:12 AM
All right, this is update-worthy: we were just offered a place to stay (an uninhabited building) by a possibly-homeless man. He has an immense key ring which I assume can unlock every un- and semi-inhabited building in the area. We had a bit of trouble communicating, but eventually he was able to make us understand. I’m not sure if he ever accepted that we’re out here by choice.
There are some awesome people out there.
June 18 11:51 PM
The rain stopped (finally!) and we’re almost all dried off. It’s now safe to break out the technology. There are ten people in line, but only around five buyers.
We managed to sneak into the Apple Store for a quick top-off of our MBPs, but were just kicked out so the store can be closed down.
Workers have climbed on top of the cube and have begun a cleaning of the whole outside surface.
Barricades have been set up throughout the plaza. It looks like they’re prepared for a huge turnout closer to 7:00.
June 18 1:45 PM
The crew at the store has been interviewed by Engadget, CNN, The New York Times, Reuters, Bloomberg, and Fortune. Impressive! But when are more people going to show up?
June 18 12:27 PM
First action inside the store. This sign just went up, telling us they’ll be closed from midnight until the (unusually early) 7:00 AM launch. You’d better get your late-night accessory purchases in before then.
RSS 2.0
you guys are awesome~ i saw u guys from the engadget video~
thats why im browsing ur site now actually.. =)
keep it up!!
Dude you guys are beast! Live streaming the iphone waiting experience. Heard of you through engadget and it is awesome! Make sure to do an unboxing!
1) the g1 (google phone) has had all the same shit for at least 6 months! Compass, tracking your lost phone if you lose it in a cab, etc… 99% of this shit is already ON CHEAPER PHONES. You have got to be a retard, thoughtless apple fan to get this phone, in ALL HONESTY AND THOUGHT. Not to mention the g1 is over a year old, and the new one is going to blow ALL smartphones out of the water (google: bigfoot t-mobile)
2) Why wouldn’t you check the weather on YOUR PHONE? You guys don’t know the weather in the engadget video… You 2 guys, (and 1 fag) need a life.
I’m sorry, google is BETTER, AND CHEAPER. Cheaper phone, cheaper service, and I get free tethering in 10 seconds on any computer because the app is small and easy.
God, I just can’t imagine how thoughtless you must be to get this phone….HONESTLY!
In terms of smart phones, I have used and tested them all. I AM NOT BIASED! I think the Iphone is awesome, its just highly overpriced.
The apple is great, but the G1 beats it all around, price, apps, cost, features. G1v2 (big foot by motorola) and G2 will surpass this phone by leaps and bounds. I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT, BELIEVE ME.
So in the PDA/phone battle:
GOOGLE > APPLE > BLACKBERRY(RIM). Hands down.
“When will other people show up?” Tomorrow morning around 6:50am. LOL
they wont show up, since they already pre-ordered it, got it shipped to their house and have a job… the world doesn’t stop for an iphone launch.
People don’t get that you understand it could have been shipped to your house but the massive no cost promotion you guys are gaining from this is genius. From one entrepreneur to another, kudos guys!! Good luck tonight! (I found you guys from the Engadget vid btw).
i have a G1 and i love it but unless im getting payed im not gonna come here and advertise it lol you ppl are idiots everything needs a competitor if the G1 was the only phone it will cost thousands hahaha
hey guys! any updates? getting busy? when should I come join you?
Tanya: We’re still here. The rain slowed down our liveblogging, but we’re getting back up to speed. Stop by any time!
Survivorman NYC!
If I’ve ordered phone from the 5th Ave. do you think arriving at 6 AM is too late to start waiting on line? I need to let my babysitter know what time to come in, single mom of 3 little kids. Any information you can share would be so helpful. Thanks.
Karen: If you have all pre-orded the phone, then your guaranteed a new iPhone. The 7 AM start time is only for pre-orders, so getting in line a 6 AM should be ok.
Have fun with your new iPhone tomorrow, and we’ll see you in line!
Keith, that’s not for Apple stores, only AT&T stores. Apples are first come-first serve. No guarantee
Thanks to you both. Emailed the sitter, 6 AM it will be.
I lived in NYC for two years. Now in Providence. U guys rock. Wish I could join U.
If you pre-ordered at the Apple store, you are guaranteed a phone. I received this message a couple of hours ago. But I will be in line at 6AM 😉
“Just a reminder that you can purchase your reserved iPhone anytime tomorrow during business hours at the store listed below.* Look for a Concierge in an orange shirt when you arrive. We’ll help you complete your purchase, set up your phone, and get off to a great start.
Date: June 19, 2009
Location: Apple Store,
North Point
Be sure to bring these items with you:
• A valid, government-issued photo ID
• Your Social Security number
• A debit or credit card
• Your AT&T billing address
We look forward to seeing you.
The Apple Retail Store team
“
You should get some shots of them cleaning the cube. What do you guys think about AT&T and tethering chargers on iPhones with updated carrier settings; you think it’s possible for them to track it; heard of anyone getting “caught?”
How is the line right now? (1:05AM). Is there a live feed from the 3GS launch at Soho by any chance?
Scott, you didn’t read the whole email……..
“*Your reservation is valid until close of business on Friday, June 19, 2009. Reservation does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple Retail Store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Hey i had the G1 honestly i dont like it anymore. i had it since day 1 i had tethering and everything on it, i had a rooted G1. I think the iphone 3GS is gonna be better and dont give me the whole tethering B.S. Ok i already know how to get tether on the iphone 3GS Too that new update Messed up the G1’s internet capabilitiesits much slower Now.
i think the iphone is pretty good Graphic wise and app wise because the apps for the G1 are pretty syupid not to be disrespectful or anything (Remember i had the G1 already) The new Google phone the “My touch” isnt going to be a badass phone as many of you think its gonna be a badass phone ones you Root it. the best app store APPLE
if i dont have a pre order the att store told me to com at 830 and that the store will open for me at 10 do you think i can get a phone
Hi guys, I’m from the UK but was in New York earlier this year and you guys just reminded me of how great the place is. Stay safe.
Bren
You guys deserve props! Hope you are “Digging the Moment” as we get closer to the opening of the Apple Store NYC and new Iphone 3GS. Going to try to make it down there at 5 to get you guys some dig the moment gear!
Drew
digthemoment.com
You guys are amazing and totally out of control. Wish I could be there with ya.
G from SF
Hope you guys are having fun and didn’t get washed away. How’s the line looking now. People piling in yet?
hear is this info don’t now if it is relevant to the 5th ave apple store thou
the ups Flight number 1114 arrived at Kennedy airport and is now unloading to a ups center near the area
hears ho i am incase you don’t no
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa196/bryantortega/IMG_0057.jpg
All the haters need to stop already. Nokia and Motorolla all laughed when the iPhone was released. They said Apple was getting in the mobile handset market too late in the game, but now who has the last laugh? Who has ever stood in line for a Nokia? People can hate all they want, but the truth is Apple has cornered a segment which makes people feel connected to their devices, actually passionate about them. Go into an Apple store and you will see people touching the machines and looking at them. The other computer manufacturers can talk crap and hate all they want, but the only guy ever excited to get a Dell was that Ben Curtis (Dell guy/dude) and look what happened to him! Just sayin..
Hey guys, good luck from Scotland! Got mine 2 hours ago and it is amazing – well worth the wait – 8am in Scotland waiting outside an Apple Store! How mad are we? Enjoy the atmosphere!
Trackbacks