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Photos: iPhone Launch Events Across the United States

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

June 30, 2007, 2:35 AM

While the masses swarmed Fifth Ave in New York, the iPhone's true success will be decided by the rest of America. Whether in rural Virginia, central Pennsylvania, small-town Indiana or sunny southern California, crowds turned out to be the first to own Apple's new device. Scroll down for some pictures from iPhone launches across the country.

Demoing to Crowd
Apple employee demos the iPhone to those waiting in line in Towson, Maryland

Mall Line
Line to Apple Store circles Towson Town Center

Considering
Shall I spend the $500?

Local News
Local news visited the Towson Apple Store

Huntington Beach
The line in Huntington Beach, California

Selling Spot in Line
Huntington Beach resident offers to sell her spot in line - for $800

HB Store
Balloons adorn inside of Huntington Beach AT&T Store

Asbhurn Line
Waiting for hours in Ashburn, Virginia - but no iPhones would reach them

Lucky in Ashburn
The lucky few in Ashburn, Virginia, where only 14 iPhones were sold

Reading PA
Line forms in Reading, Pennsylvania

Line Doubles in PA
It wasn't long until the Reading line doubled

Apple Store Tysons
Flagship Apple Store in Tysons Corner serves up hundreds of iPhones

San Diego
Waiting in San Diego, California

Biz Markie
Famous 1990's rapper Biz Markie gets his iPhone in San Diego

About two dozen people finally formed a line just after a sales clerk hauled out this orange sign.
iPhone lines formed even in Columbus, Indiana

Four employees of a local Indianapolis video editing studio stake out early positions in line to purchase iPhones for their whole company.
Staking out an iPhone at dawn in Indianapolis

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By PostDeals

edited Jul 4, 2007 - 12:04 AM

Those complaining about too much iPhone coverage: why did you click the link to read this topic? Nobody forced you to, just ignore it and move on, don't bash the thread it doesn't make sense. THERE IS NO PLEASING EVERYONE, so if you don't like something ignore it.

I believe iPhone is a unique type of gadgetry and coverage it has receive has been fair, trust me I saw horror stories where the phone didn't work out of the box etc. I don't mind the coverage since I don't feel like waiting in line to juse to see the phone or play with it. Sorry my Cingular 8525 has to last me another 1 1/2 year don't have $600 for a NON 3G phone.

Score: 0

By storm shadow

posted Jul 3, 2007 - 12:47 PM

Is anybody watching soccer or know about the ps3 upcaming camara that turns wii in a childsplay.. Just please talk about something OTHER than iphone...im having nightmares with that device already.

Score: 0

By ZenWarrior

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 3:45 PM

Has anyone yet seen what happens when an iPhone is dropped from 4-5 feet or so? (No, I haven't.) I'm just wondering if it will hold up to true "everyday" use.

And yes, BetaNews has suddenly become iPhoneNews. Gee, isn't CNet's gushing enough? I came here hoping for some sanity. Clearly, I was wrong.

Score: 0

By uberfly

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 3:42 PM

Sheep are good eatin

Score: 0

By Intrusive_Rogue

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 10:08 AM

When did Beta News turn into iphone news?

8 of the headlines are about the iphone. How much is Beta News getting paid by the Apple marketing machine?

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 11:15 AM

Probably Apple own this site. This site has more headlines on iPhone than Yahoo Finance on Apple.

Score: 0

By ladylust

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 2:36 AM

I love the lemmings... My Palm Pilot phone can do 10 times more then an Iphone and its a few years old. What is this revolution? Because there is an apple on it? LOL... Bill Gates from up high is smiling down saying.. SUCKER!

Score: 0

By Scotch Moose

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 10:50 AM

Bill is probably dodging chairs and saying "I don't know why we aren't cool."

Score: 0

By SpaceQ

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 3:26 AM

Is your phone attractive as iPhone?.. does your phone run full 3d gui OS? does your phone run new evolutionary multitouch screen?

You known ppl who dont understand why something is popullar usually really shout loud how could this happen;)

Score: 0

By Intrusive_Rogue

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 10:31 AM

Does your Iphone have any pratical purpose in the business world? Does your Iphone integrate seamlessly into the modern workplace?

....I mean like Windows Mobile and Smart phones have been for the past 3+ years?

The Iphone is a pretty phone with Neat features. Perfect for the hip personalitys that need that sort of thing to fit in.

It has no place in the business world.

And that's fine. It fills it's niche.

Score: 0

By dwby

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 8:40 AM

Wow SpaceQ, I want an iPhone now!

"Is your phone attractive as iPhone?.. does your phone run full 3d gui OS? does your phone run new evolutionary multitouch screen?

You known ppl who dont understand why something is popullar usually really shout loud how could this happen;)"

Score: 0

By Flying Scotsman

edited Jul 1, 2007 - 3:57 PM

So, Apple manufactured enough phones to sell to anyone who wants one, at an excellent profit. Sounds like a great success for them. When will people realise that companies who limit stocks so that they run out quickly after a day or two only to be widely available after a week or so, do so only as a PUBLICITY STUNT. If people want to queue up for hours only to get one ten minuites before their freinds thats their business. I applaude Apple for selling as they should and avoiding the publicity stunts. Being able to supply demand is a good thing.

Score: 0

By attanze

posted Jul 1, 2007 - 9:33 AM

But if iPhone have no technical advantages over the others and no new technologies, why EVERY mobilephone company are intending these days to release devices to COMPETE with iPhone? Why the iPhone is now the REFERENCE device regarding to the mobilephone market? Why I want a such device from the moment I seeit the first presentation of it? Im a Palm user and Im asking why!

Score: 0

By Mystiqq

posted Jul 1, 2007 - 12:36 PM

How exactly can it be the "reference" device when it has been just released? I might be wrong as i dont keep track on iWhatEver. Im not saying that iPhone doesnt look interesting, but at that price tag, it better have something other than just hype.

Score: 0

By kashin

posted Jul 1, 2007 - 1:34 PM

"it better have something other than just hype."

That's what Apple is all about: hype. Where have you been? As I've said before, Apple could polish up a turd and slap an iGravity logo on it, then sell it as an anti-gravity device. People would be lined up around the block to buy it.

Score: 0

By cjackson27

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 1:37 PM

The majority of people rolled their eyes at the Apple TV.

Score: 0

By imafurby

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 6:10 PM

My guess is that it will be huge in rural Virginia.

Score: 0

By TIM

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 4:41 PM

The Biz Markie sighting is pretty hilarious though.

Score: 0

By eclipsingdivinity

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 3:29 PM

Give me a break guys. There's nothing wrong with covering a new gadget such as the iPhone. It is considered one of the biggest launches in gadgetry in the last ten years, I don't see why they wouldn't cover it extensively.

Besides, have you guys actually seen the videos on Apple's website of how intuitive it is? I may think some of Apple's products are overrated and overrhyped but this isn't one of them.

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 5:48 PM

I think probably what they all mean is that this is the last 48 hours there are 8 separate different entries about SOMETHING iPhone, and I think what they're trying to say is, "We've been hearing about it for months -- woopie doo."

I, for one, am sick of hearing it.

Someone message me when it has enough GB to store my music (which, by no means, is a huge amount of songs), for a half reasonable price. $500+ is not acceptable, I'm sorry. NEXT!

Score: 0

By computershack

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 5:18 PM

"It is considered one of the biggest launches in gadgetry in the last ten years,"

Riiiight. More like overhyped. Never has a product with so many others doing exactly the same, had so much overpublicity.

Score: 0

By storm shadow

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 1:05 PM

Ey Betanews.. I sure there are more interesting news than Apple's iphone. Please stop this iphone madness and give us some fresh news about something else ( Not everyone is hyped about this device). Thank you.

Score: 0

By Point Zero

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 12:27 PM

What a bunch of lamers.

Score: 0

By Latz !

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 10:54 AM

Things like this sicken me. Run sheep, swarm the malls to get your trendy status symbol!

Score: 0

By il-loostya

edited Jul 2, 2007 - 2:28 AM

It is pretty damn pathetic. I don't think the people in the photos are after the "trendy" factor though.... just look at their wardrobe! Not to mention their waste lines... sickening indeed.

Score: 0

By stunned

edited Jun 30, 2007 - 9:12 AM

IT'S JUST A PHONE!!! ANOTHER GADGET....BIG DEAL....U HAVE LIVED WITHOUT IT FOR YEARS...WHAT'S ANOTHER MONTH....SPEND YOUR TIME MORE WISELY...

Score: 0

By computershack

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 6:51 AM

I suppose that in the USA with the mediocre mobile phones they have over there, that the iPhone probably stands a fighting chance.

Meanwhile in Europe, the functionality it offers has been available on phones for at least half a decade. It has nothing new to offer.

Score: 0

By Aires

edited Jun 30, 2007 - 7:08 AM

Well that's not completely true to say it has nothing new to offer and is a bit of a jaundiced view if I may say. It does have truely innovative features never seen before on a phone. However and this is a big however, by the time this phone is released in Europe and Japan many other mobile phone companies will have introduced similair comparative innovative features. The bottom line is though that the iPhone firstly isn't 3G (amongst other things) and I believe that there's also secondly some sort of interoperability issue with other mobiles when it comes to sending photos. The is in essence iPhone v1 and I fully expect (and fervently hope) we will see an iPhone v2 before it's released in Europe and Japan. As innovative as it is (and it is) it just ain't gonna cut it over here in a major way without an updated version being released. Kiddywinks are gonna love the phone as it is stands and will pester their parents for it. But it ain't gonna become huge without and updated version being released in Europe and Japan - and I stand by that.

Score: 0

By computershack

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 8:59 AM

"It does have truely innovative features never seen before on a phone."

Such as?

Score: 0

By nate

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 4:21 PM

http://www.apple.com/iph...giphone/guidedtour.html

Score: 0

By computershack

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 5:23 PM

Like I said...

Such as?

Absolutely nothing innovative there at all.

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 10:39 AM

LMAO! Well, that proves you're just trolling.

Score: 0

By bakura

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 8:57 PM

Lol! Try one and then say there's nothing innovative. Back up your statement with facts. It's easy to say something negative without trying a product, but having facts to back up your negative comment... that's more meaningful.

Score: 0

By computershack

posted Jul 1, 2007 - 4:53 AM

"Try one and then say there's nothing innovative. Back up your statement with facts."

Walk into any phone shop outside the USA, say in Japan, and you'll find every feature already available.

They may all not have been crammed into something that is basically a PDA, but they're all there.

Nothing innovative at all. Flashy GUI to keep the Mac fanboys happy but that's it. All the functionality has been done to death already.

As for the specs, they're laughable. 2MPixel camera, ROFLMFAO. My 12 month old phone has a 3MPixel camera and some of the new ones are 5 and 6 MPixel.

Score: 0

By Esquire

edited Jul 1, 2007 - 5:30 AM

Yes, a few Korean, Japanes (and Chinese) phones spot features like higher megapixels (I think 7MP is the current max) + high camera grade quality lens (e.g., Carl Zeiss optics), electronic payment and other RFID capabilities, and a built-in TV to boot, but many won't see these devices outside the respective countries, and their phone functions can be less innovative than other functions they have thrown onboard, so be nice and be fair, the iPhone GUI is already so much more advanced than what these US/Can folks have been using for eternity.

Based on the online tour, I must say its multi-touch display looks cleverer than my HTC Touch by a large margin. I won't buy one when the Asian iPhone comes out since I don't like Apple products, but I'll definitely go to the shops and play with it.

Score: 0

By Esquire

edited Jul 6, 2007 - 8:27 PM

Let me give this a try :)

Pros
- large multimedia storage
- stable OS
- multi-touch navigation
- Safari browser
- visual voicemail
- auto landscape/portrait mode detection
- threaded SMS
- fast response (if the real phone is as good as the online demo videos)
- iPod

Cons
- Google Map needs an Internet connection (my phone has GPS navigation)
- multi-touch navigation? iPhone is not the only phone (but looks like Apple has a better technology)
- no handwriting recognition input (they'll need it or introduce something like T9 when introducing to Asian markets)
- no 3G
- no IMAP email support
- lock to a single service provider
- no SIM card insertion (no good for Europe and Asian markets)
- no flash memory expansion
- 2MB camera
- no battery access (for swapping to a 2nd battery)
- Bluetooth has no A2DP support (any info if this exists?)
- no instant messenger (can this be installed?)
- no MP3 or user's own ringtone
- Visual voicemail requires service provider system support
- no MMS? (to be confirmed)

(both lists updated on July 7, GMT+8)

Score: 0

By bakura

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 11:43 PM

Now that was a post I can respect.

- There is IMAP email support. You can set the iPhone to check IMAP, POP, and Exchange accounts.
- The iPhone has a user removable/replacable SIM card. You have to activate the phone with the SIM card that comes with it though.

I agree with your other points, although I am not familiar with what A2DP is. I'll Google it later.

Score: 0

By Esquire

edited Jul 6, 2007 - 7:59 PM

Thanks for the confirmation on both features - I couldn't tell just by looking at the online tour

By the way A2DP is stereo audio stream for Bluetooth - a must if you want to listen to your music in stereo through a Bluetooth stereo headset

So where is the SIM card slot? I saw images of a dismantled iPhone online and couldn't see how to insert the SIM card without taking the casing apart

One other thing I have concerns with is the lack of 2nd battery - this may indicate a lack of backup battery to keep the clock going if the charge on main battery completely drains. Many PPC phones have a backup battery so the clock is not reset when swapping batteries

Score: 0

By attanze

edited Jul 1, 2007 - 11:00 AM

You can find the SIM slot into the top of the device. You dont need to open the iPhone to insert the SIM into it.

For more detail, check this: http://feeds.tuaw.com/~r...gsinc/tuaw/~3/129136064/

Score: 0

By Esquire

posted Jul 1, 2007 - 12:26 PM

GREAT! Thanks for the update :)

Score: 0

By computershack

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 5:21 PM

Like I said...

Such as?

Not anything innovative there.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 4:55 AM

Goodbye to variety..

Score: 0

By Aires

edited Jun 30, 2007 - 4:33 AM

WTF?!?!?!

Is this website being sponsored by Apple for the day?????

This site is usually so overwhelmingly pro-Microsoft that all of these iPhone stories seem so wierd. But do you not think this is just a bit of an iPhone overkill guys - this is not the second coming of Jesus.

It's really sad for me to say this because I've been a member of this site for years and years - but this site is really going downhill in my eyes and I'm really sad about that.

Not that I'm sure you'll care that much (if at all) but you've really gone down in my estimation guys. [Tsk]

The iPhone looks to be cracking - it really looks impressive, there's no doubt about that. But you guys I urge you to perhaps set up a seperate iPhone section maybe - all these iPhone stories are just making this site look silly now.

Score: 0

By cowgaR

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 4:38 AM

not to say that iPhone is a real dumb useless phone for "apple sheeps", the kind of peaple that are interesting only with the "new device" in hand...

if they could wore a clothes with price-stickers, they would do it, money doesn't matter, finaly I mean something!

eeergh, iPhone is such a bad phone, I feel sorry for the people, writing this from my Windows Mobile 6.0

Score: 0

By nate

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 4:28 PM

You are calling it a "bad phone" without even trying it? Who are you, Fox News?

Seriously, Windows Mobile 6.0 (which should have been called 5.1) was a decent phone platform, but it absolutely pales in comparison to the iPhone. In fact, I'd be pretty embarrassed right now if I were Microsoft. Apple did with version 1.0 what WM 6.0 doesn't come close to doing.

Examples: No proper Web browsing (Pocket IE is just sad), no visual voicemail, no simple interface (how many icons and other crap does Microsoft really need to cram in?), no proper IMAP support (ever try deleting messages?), clunky UI, horrible media playing support -- the list goes on.

It's not entirely Microsoft's fault, since it has to support a wide variety of platforms and manufacturers, but who cares whose fault it is? In the end, the experience for the consumer is sub-par and there is no reason it should take a decade for someone to offer visual voicemail or proper SMS messaging.

Score: 0

By computershack

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 5:24 PM

"Examples: No proper Web browsing (Pocket IE is just sad), no visual voicemail, no simple interface (how many icons and other crap does Microsoft really need to cram in?), no proper IMAP support (ever try deleting messages?),"

...which are available on pretty much any phone released in the last couple of years.

Score: 0

By ogman

edited Jul 2, 2007 - 10:43 AM

You sound desperately jealous. If I were you, I'd quit hating on the phone and go buy some Apple stock. Sell some of that Microsoft while you're at it. You'll feel better then.

Score: 0

By bakura

posted Jun 30, 2007 - 8:55 PM

Huh? That didn't make sense.

No phone prior to the iPhone has had a decent web browser. I have an iPhone, and have had Windows Mobile devices in the past, and there's simply no comparison. No other phone has visual voicemail either, which is really nice once you try it.

Score: 0

By Hamma

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 12:14 PM

What is this visual voice mail anyway?

Score: 0

By Esquire

posted Jul 2, 2007 - 11:14 PM

Visual voice mail allows you to play voicemail messages like you are playing a piece of music or a movie on your computer - you can pause, fast forward/backward, etc., unlike an ordinary message where you have to listen from start to finish and replay from start to finish, again. If I understand it correctly, this feature requires service provider system support.

Score: 0

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