As June 29 unfolded.
So here’s an excerpt of my Twitter feeds from June 29 while waiting in line for the iPhone. My posts came via Twitter’s Mobile webpage.
The other characters in this little 3-hour drama are Mark Silva, Steve Rubel, iJustine, Katia Holmes and Dan Wallace. Oh, and iPhone itself made several appearances to comment on the goings-on. We're all tweeting from different locations around the United States.
This reminds me of an idea I had a while back to broadcast a storyline via Twittervision 3D.
And now, relive the experience of standing in line to buy an iPhone on June 29...
tbrunelle
entering Southdale
03:51 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
huh. maybe 100 people in line here at the Southdale Apple Store. maybe.
03:53 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
people with babies. lots-o-laptops. oh, and the woman next to me is doing her makeup. iPhone, we honor you!
04:13 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
steverubel
At the entrance to the store and the final countdown is on.
05:24 PM June 29, 2007 from txt
tbrunelle
apple store employees handing out water. very nice. estimating 15+ checkout lines. should go quick, provided there's stock!
04:42 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
marksilva
@trbunelle -- are you picking up two?
02:48 PM June 29, 2007 from web
tbrunelle
guy has is own film crew with him here in line. security is adding more rope lines. crowd grows.
04:49 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
marksilva
you should see digg big spy (SHOUTING) and stacks going crazy with iPhever http://labs.digg.com/. it's all happening... :-)
02:50 PM June 29, 2007 from web
tbrunelle
@marksilva: yes. crowd here seems mixed on one or two.
04:51 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web in reply to marksilva
marksilva
first iphone sells on ebay at $1995. if you're in line, consider taking the profit by buying two. heck, i'll pay face value if nothing else
02:52 PM June 29, 2007 from web
iPhone
open question to everyone: why are people waiting in line for me? I'm a fucking PHONE and I cost a shitload of money.
02:54 PM June 29, 2007 from web
iPhone
seriously people -- you're counting down the minutes??? I mean, thanks for all the love but sheesh, I'm worrying now I might let you down...
02:59 PM June 29, 2007 from web
tbrunelle
one hour to go. no one has fainted in line yet.
05:00 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
iPhone
now please people, enter the stores in an orderly fashion. I don't want to get scratched right out of the box.
03:01 PM June 29, 2007 from web
iPhone
it is at this moment that I can truly say I am proud to be an American. all you fine people in line protecting your right to capitalism.
03:04 PM June 29, 2007 from web
ijustine
Joe is still in line and doing well. Also got yelled at for juggling in the middle of the mall. iPhone line is growing..
06:05 PM June 29, 2007 from txt
tbrunelle
took a hard count. really only about 122 people in line here.
05:07 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
marksilva
For all in line, i share with you the crazy first inspired by iPhone: http://tinyurl.com/2yzvly ur turn
03:13 PM June 29, 2007 from web
tbrunelle
people are standing around, watching us stand in line. only in Minnesota.
05:17 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
wonder if the Easy Spirit and Gap are getting any residual biz today.
05:18 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
the Abercrombie & Fitch employees seem genuinely mystified. $600 phone?! we have $600 pants!
05:19 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
iPhone
thanks to @chris24 for link: http://iphonelaunch.tv/
03:21 PM June 29, 2007 from web
iPhone
praying for my personal safety when all you ravenous geeks get a hold of me.
03:23 PM June 29, 2007 from web
tbrunelle
they're taking down the black...
05:23 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
when do we do the group yoga thing?
05:26 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
iPhone
great quote from new iphone owner @gruber "Gonna go see what the back of the line is willing to pay for this."
03:29 PM June 29, 2007 from web
iPhone
they're already dumping me on ebay: http://tinyurl.com/2g9o2l
03:32 PM June 29, 2007 from web
tbrunelle
now they've got employees mingling, giving instructions. “Have wallet open! Cash prefered!”
05:32 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
iPhone
remaining beatles have just made lyric change "I am the walrus" now reads "I have an iPhone" -- coo coo ca choo
03:34 PM June 29, 2007 from web
tbrunelle
they're tightening the queue. like lambs to the iPhone checkout counter.
05:35 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
ijustine
I'm shaking... I'm THAT nervous.
06:39 PM June 29, 2007 from txt
tbrunelle
employees are walking the line, not answering the important question: how many in the store?
05:48 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
hmmm. looks like they're gonna let in groups of 16 at a time.
05:50 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
all that free water... now i gotta pee.
05:53 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
the mall security guys just congratulated each other for a job well done.
05:55 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
how much for the giant iPhone in the window? 3 minutes and counting.
05:56 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
still...why are there 20 odd people standing here watching us stand in line? to shop? all hail consumer culture!
05:58 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
katian
@tbrunelle I am living vicariously through you. I am so nervous.
06:00 PM June 29, 2007 from txt in reply to tbrunelle
danwall88
@tbrunelle ... It's because you are playing a part in a meta-narrative.
06:01 PM June 29, 2007 from txt in reply to tbrunelle
tbrunelle
people counted down the last minute. doors just opened. line's moving quick!
06:01 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
danwall88
@tbrunelle ... Hell, we're all "watching" you too.
06:02 PM June 29, 2007 from txt in reply to tbrunelle
tbrunelle
the people just entering the line now seem very uncertain.
06:02 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
ijustine
IN THE STORE!!!!!
07:03 PM June 29, 2007 from txt
tbrunelle
i still really gotta pee. does the Apple store have a restroom?
06:04 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
so much for all that extra ropeline they set up. what a waste of rope.
06:05 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
lots of eBay speculators in my part of the line.
06:06 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
this line kind of reminds me of air travel with NWA. but without the free water. or the cool product. or the good mood.
06:08 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
ijustine
JOE IS OPENING HIS IPHONE!!!!!!!
07:12 PM June 29, 2007 from txt
tbrunelle
the guy who was first in line here just walked past holding his iPhone bag aloft. people cheered. i didn't.
06:16 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
the guy behind me in line just said, "I needed deoderant when i got here." he still does, kinda.
06:19 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
line is shortening. we're on deck for the next group in.
06:20 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
katian
Omg. I can't wait for tim to get his phone
06:23 PM June 29, 2007 from txt
tbrunelle
we're about to enter the shrine of insanity.
06:23 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
entering the store. they videotaped me. urgh! more line!
06:24 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
empoyee is showing me the phone. slightly bigger than i thought. but i can't touch it. no!
06:25 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
about to buy.
06:26 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
buying 2 w/ Amex. yikes.
06:26 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
yeah, thank you, too
06:27 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
nice bag.
06:28 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
looks like they had plenty in stock.
06:28 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
that was relatively painless. time to pee.
06:30 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
tbrunelle
car is stinky hot. time to go home, then go nuts.
06:32 PM June 29, 2007 from mobile web
ijustine
Back in the Apple Store swooning.
07:35 PM June 29, 2007 from txt
The End.