The Wait Is Over: 5 Scenes From The iPhone 6 Launch
Waiting Game
Crisp autumn air, free coffee, local television news crews, and a line that snakes around several blocks in the early morning can only mean one thing: a new iPhone has hit stores. Apple launched its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Friday morning, and CRN was on the scene in Boston to cover yet another Apple launch. After several years of crowd-drawing product launches, Apple maintains an unwavering fan base that still lines the streets for a new phone.
Smartphone Sleepover
Most of the customers waiting in line for the phone outside Apple's downtown Boston location had spent the night there. Raiz Labs app developer Ben Johnson got in line at 8:30 the night before. Customer Keaton Nicholson joined the line at 10 p.m. "It was kind of lively for most of the night," he said.
Andrew Rondinone, who is purchasing his third iPhone, went a different route. He preordered the phone and only had to wait for "10 or 15 minutes" to pick it up in the store. "Preorder is definitely the way to go," he said.
Screen Time
Customers were most enthusiastic about the iPhone 6's 4.7-inch display, and the iPhone 6 Plus' even larger 5.5-inch screen.
"I think bigger's better. It's got a bigger screen, and I don't want to use my iPad anymore," said loyal customer Andre Velasquez.
Apple Pay, the company's new secure payment system, also garnered some anticipation.
"I had my credit card stolen about two weeks ago so I'm hoping this will alleviate all that stress. You just go to the store and boom, you pay, done," said Rondinone.
No Love For The Competition
CRN asked these smartphone enthusiasts whether they would ever consider buying another brand of smartphone, and the answer was an overwhelming, ’No.'
"Never. iCloud's a huge reason, I like photo stream, it goes right into my iPhotos. I don't know, it all syncs, it all works together," said Rondinone.
"For business purposes, the iPhone's a lot more secure, we basically have to use the iPhone and not the Android phones," said Nicholson.
Even though many Apple critics think Samsung is overtaking Apple's hold on smartphone innovation, app developer Johnson disagreed. "I wouldn't even compare them, to be honest. I think Samsung's out of Apple's league at this point," he said.
Customer Base Gives Facetime
Apple has generated success through building a fiendish fanbase never before seen for technology products. For many of the customers waiting in line, the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus will be the third or fourth iPhone they have purchased.
"I've been waiting to get an iPhone every year since they first came out," said Velasquez. "It's kind of like, tradition."
Seasoned veterans of the Apple launches said they were surprised at the number of people who camped out at the Boylston Street store, a noticeably bigger crowd than at the iPhone 5S launch last fall.
"I didn't think that this would be as big as it is this year. There's no sign that it's ever going to stop," said Johnson.
Apple Watch Criticism
Apple may have held onto its customer base for its famous smartphone, but its move into wearable technology might be a harder sell -- even for customers loyal enough to wait overnight for new products.
"I don't think it's for me. I don't need my phone on my wrist," said Rondinone.