This was one of the smoothest, quickest Apple launch day experiences I’ve had. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I got to my local Apple store here in Austin at around 3:40AM. We got into the Apple store right at 8:00AM, I got one-to-one help from the friendly and efficient Lacey (pictured holding my new iPhone 4S above), and I was walking out the door at 8:22.
A few things that stuck me in this very different feeling iPhone launch day:
— Much Smaller Crowd: This definitely doesn’t feel anywhere near as big as other iPhone launches. Maybe it’s just the one store I went to, but if not and if it’s a good indicator of what’s going on elsewhere, this is easily the quietest release I’ve seen yet. When the first couple groups of us were about to go into the store there was a line of around 50-75 people behind us. In years past that would’ve been into the hundreds.
— Apple Staff Awesome As Ever: This is one of the main reasons why lining up at crazy hours and spending crazy amounts of time at Apple launches is so easily do-able. Apple staff were outside greeting us and letting us know how things were going to go from very, very early in the AM – before 5:00 I think. They were all pumped up, full of enthusiasm, happy to answer questions from those waiting in line throughout our waiting time.
Once we got inside the store, the Apple team were cranking out the new iPhone setups like a very well-oiled machine – and having a damn good time doing it too.
— Good Company in Line: This is another very cool thing that can be counted on at Apple launches here in Austin. The crowd was a good mix of veterans (of many Apple launches) and newbies. Everyone was in great spirits, particularly considering the Stupid o’clock start time for all of us. This also helps the waiting time to go by nice and quick of course.
These two young ladies were among my line companions today. The girl on the left was getting her first smartphone, and her very good friend on the right was just along to keep her company.
— I saw Sprint reps in the store helping customers and was told by Lacey that all three carriers had reps on hand to help out. That was good to see in this first year with multiple carriers available for the iPhone in the US on launch day.
Thanks to Lacey and all the excellent Apple store staff for their efforts this morning.
Here’s hoping all of you have as good an iPhone 4S launch day as I have.
Continue reading:
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- Apple Watch Pre-Order
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TAGS: iphone 4s, iPhone 4S launch day
