Waiting in line for an iPhone is a wonderful experience. You get to be one of the first people on the planet to own a hot new toy. You meet your fellow gadget enthusiasts. Apple has been known to dole out free Starbucks and bottled water, and even the occasional T-shirt. Did I mention the fresh air and opportunity to see the sun rise?

Of course there are some downsides: You may need to wake up before some people go to bed. Sitting on the pavement isn’t exactly comfy. Random strangers may mock you. And it’s hard to do anything else while you’re in line (including visiting the restroom).

All of which is by way of inviting you to join me tomorrow morning as I wait in line at my local Apple Store to buy an iPhone 3G S in what I’ve come to think of as the iLine. I’ll do the standing around, and will report on anything interesting that happens; you can read about it and look at any photos I take from the comfort of your own home.

The Apple Store opens at 7am PT. It’s hard to say just how crazy the lines will be–in theory, they may not be that bad for a third-generation phone, but I plan to err on the side of expecting the worst. So I’ll show up at the store at 3am or thereabouts just to see what’s going on. (It’s five minutes from here, so I can always go home and catch some additional ZZZs if there’s nobody there.)

If by chance you plan to be in line at your local Apple Store or AT&T shop, lemme know–I’d love to hear reports from around the country.

(Update: Here’s my first report.)

 
3 Comments


Read more: Apple, Apple. iPhone, AT&T, Smartphones