iPhone 4 Launch Day
Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 11:49PM
In a rather surprising turn of events, I was unable to pre-order an iPhone 4. (I know this is very unlike me LOL.) Due to the very long backorder that was showing up all across the globe, I decided to take my chance on trying to get one via Standby at the Apple Store.
I was told that at 5 AM, security would allow customers to line up for the chance to get their grubby paws on a shiny new phone. My Plan was to get their at 3 AM and avoid security. To my surprise, when we arrived, people had been lining up since Midnight and saying "To Hell with Security." When I arrived there must have been 200 people easily. Many people were there that had reserved their iPhone 4 for pickup. So the standby line had about 90 or so people in front of me. The odds looked pretty good to me that I would walk away with one.
The store opened at 7 AM. As a standby customer, we had to let all the reserved customers get theirs first. The problem with this is that they just kept coming for hours and hours. Anytime we looked at their line, there was always at least 200 people on their side. Ours never moved much for the first few hours.
All in all, I waited nearly 11 hours for the phone. By the time Jennifer and I got up to the front door to get inside the store, it became clear that the stock of iPhones were just about depleted. After all that time, it looked as though we weren't getting into the store. They cut the line right behind us and said we would be the last iPhones. So by a stroke of luck, I got my phone!
I was very pleased with the Apple Store crew during our stay there today. It was my first launch event at the store and I knew that food was to be handed out in the morning. I wasn't aware of how much they really do try to take care of all the customers while you are waiting. We had an endless supply of Water bottles given us. They gave us Starbucks and Lipton Tea. We were given donuts. They even gave us all sandwiches for lunch. When it started getting very hot, we were given each umbrellas to avoid the sun. What company does this for their customers? I can't think of any other. I'm very pleased to be an Apple Customer today. While although I was getting rather grumpy towards the end when it looked like we weren't getting into the store. This was due to the endless supply of customers who reserved their phones already. This can hardly be blamed on Apple, but while you are so close and yet so far away, you're not looking for reason. You're just angry.
Now after sleeping for a few hours (having been up for 29 hours) I have played a bit with the phone. I'm very impressed with the device. The screen could not be better. Color pops out and blacks are very black. Text looks so crisp yet smooth on the screen. The camera looks pretty much as good as any point and shoot camera I've had in my life. Battery life looks like it's something I'm not gonna have to be as concerned with. Over all, this phone is a grand slam for Apple. I haven't done a Face Time Call yet, and am eagerly awaiting this feature to be used. I will say that there is the significant problem with the reception when you cover the bottom left edge of the phone with your hand which will be a problem for me being a lefty. I'm aware that a case will solve this issue, so that will be a priority for me. Apple Bumpers are a must!
