Upwardly mobile queue to get their latest gadget
TECHNOLOGY lovers queued in Bristol city centre from before dawn to get their hands on the latest version of Apple's iPhone.
Fans of the US company's smart phones woke up early to wait in line for the iPhone 5 at the Apple shop in Quakers Friars.
The much sought-after gadget went on sale at 8am on Friday and by that time, a queue was snaking its way around the square.
One of the first people in Bristol to bag the phone was Walter Dirks, 57, a photographer from Redland who was upgrading his iPhone 4.
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He had arrived in the queue at 6.30am and paid £159 for the phone as part of his £31-a-month contract.
Mr Dirks said: "I like the iPhone for its ease of use – it really functions well and does everything I want it to do in an uncomplicated way."
When asked about its price – up to £699 without a contract – he said: "If it was only for personal use it would be hard to justify but I use it for work as well."
The phone is already guaranteed to be a best-seller, with Apple reporting orders around the world of two million in the first day and many customers not expected to receive theirs until October.
Also in the queue in Quakers Friars was Kevin Ten, 21, a Bristol University aerospace engineering student living in the city centre.
He said: "I wasn't expecting this much of a queue – I was surprised. I want the new iPhone because it has much more powerful processors in it. It's a lot of money for a phone – I expected it to be about £400. I'll probably only use it for a year and a half."
Fellow Apple fan Nathan In, 31, a chef from Highridge, said: "It's the first time I've ever queued for a phone. I've always had an iPhone – these days it's more than just a phone and I use it for the internet, shopping and social networks."
Comments
by PE175
Monday, September 24 2012, 12:16PM
“What a pile of prats, they are giving over £400 to Apple for nothing, the thing costs under £150 to make.
It dos`nt matter how good bad or what the device is it is a rip off, its not even yours when you buy it Apple pull all of the strings on how you use it ,and make you pay again.
But if you are a Apple fan-boy it is reassuringly expensive, idiots.”
by dayofthedog
Monday, September 24 2012, 12:02PM
“Weird how Apple is now more than a brand to some deluded idiots...
The only people really benefiting from this sad and utterly ridiculous behavior are Apple and their shareholders.
Spend the £500 on something meaningful, like a nice holiday or just put the money in the bank...
Finally, as far as I am aware you cannot eat it, sleep in it or make love to it...therefore it is NOT essential!”
by BCFCfinker
Monday, September 24 2012, 11:43AM
“"""Also in the queue in Quakers Friars was Kevin Ten, 21, a Bristol University aerospace engineering student living in the city centre."""
Not a good advertisement in regards to the complaints about student tuition fees.
Wait a day or two and walk straight in.”
by Lone_Ranger
Monday, September 24 2012, 10:33AM
“"The queue at the Apple store in Quakers Friars was more than 200 people deep at times " blarts the caption of a picture of children with Peppa Pig, at the openeing of the Gallaries' Food Court.”
by GoveKnows
Monday, September 24 2012, 10:09AM
“"I've always had an iPhone – these days it's more than just a phone..."
Clown.”
by PJB_1972
Monday, September 24 2012, 9:48AM
“Truly tragic.”