Unlike some others who have formed a waiting line for Friday’s iPhone 3G debut, the first person in line at the Walnut Creek (N. Calif.) retail store is a real Apple enthusiast. Aaron arrived on Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then sat by himself in a comfortable chair for seven hours before anyone else joined him. By 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening, another 15 persons had gathered for the 8 a.m. first sales, including a handful of speculators offering to give up their place in line for money. Power for a music system and laptops was graciously provided the city, via the AC power connection on a nearby tree that usually powers decorative lights.
Various reports from around the country indicate that waiting lines at Apple stores aren’t breaking any records. Nevertheless, they are substantial: about 100 overnight at Fifth Avenue (NYC), 50 at North Michigan Avenue (Chicago), 40 at Palo Alto (N. Calif.).
The Digital Lifestyle says it will have live video of the iPhone 3G debut starting at 7 a.m. EDT, using feeds from anyone who can connect to them.
In an interview, Aaron #1 said he had dumped his first generation iPhone several weeks ago on eBay, and will actually make a small profit after buying the iPhone 3G. He didn’t sleep at all Wednesday night, but instead played video games, talked with passersby and through around a soccer ball. Watch an interview with Aaron below.
A group of five college-age persons are right behind Aaron, and hope to make money by selling their places in line–and they’re serious. They’re part of the iWait.com, a group that formed for last year’s iPhone debut, and now offer line-waiting services for all types of events, including concert tickets and American Idol auditions. The service operates on an auction basis, with on-line bids taken for a position in line. At 7 p.m. they group had been offered a maximum of $200 for their spots in line at Walnut Creek by at least one person. The auction winners are determined until 7:50 a.m., the group explained. The bidders for the iPhone line are people who intend to get in line for an iPhone anyway, the group said, but simply want to guarantee themselves a place closer to the front of the line.
The front of the waiting line. You can make out the orange power line snaking into the tree on the far left.
The iWait crew waiting for bidders.
Aaron, the first person in line at the Walnut Creek (N. Calif.) store for the iPhone 3G.
