The iPhone Arrives
Posted by: Stephen Wildstrom on June 29, 2007
At the magic hour of 6 pm, I was at the Bethesda Ave. Apple Store in Bethesda, Md. A line of more than 100 customers stretch for nearly a block, but the mood was relaxed and friendly.
At the stroke of 6, the black paper came down from the windows, the doors opened and a cheer went up. Customers were admitted five at a time and everyone leaving the store with a phone got a round of applause.
The real reason I was there was to finally get an evaluation unit. After protracted discussions with Apple, it was arranged that I should meet the owner of the store in what turned out to be a stinky alley (the Apple Store’s next door neighbor is a fish market.)
The episode reminded me that the very first Technology & You column I worte 14 years ago dealt with the new Apple Newton MessagePad and before I could get an evaluation unit, apple insisted that I go to a Newton class. Some things never change.
