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iPhone release draws hundreds to Corte Madera Apple Store [The Marin Independent Journal, Novato, Calif.](Marin Independent Journal (CA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 19--While waiting in line Friday to buy a new iPhone 6, Mona Helen Renney of Tiburon reflected on the first time she joined a release-day frenzy to buy the world's most popular smartphone. It was the day the first ever iPhone was released in 2007, she said, "and I've been addicted ever since." The mother of four -- who said she would leave if her wait lasted more than two hours -- was one of hundreds who spent hours waiting to get into the Apple Store at The Village at Corte Madera the morning of the new iPhone's release, pining to get their hands on one of the two versions of the new device. The iPhone 6 and its larger derivative, the iPhone 6 Plus, are stirring up a frenzy of interest for being bigger than previous iPhone models and for having longer battery life. Two lines -- one for those who pre-ordered their smartphones online and one for everyone else -- formed in front of the store, flaring out in either direction. While the pre-order line included several dozen customers when the store opened, several hundred stood in the line, which stretched longer than a football field, down to the Williams-Sonoma store. While the store ran out of the iPhone 6 Plus within 90 minutes, store employees assured customers plenty of regular iPhone 6 devices were in stock. Store manager Jeannine Nittner said it is against company policy to release sales or inventory numbers of individual stores. "The goal is to put as many smiles on faces as we can," Nittner said. The store usually opens at 10 a.m. on weekdays, but doors flung open at 8 a.m. Friday in anticipation of the day's expected increase in sales. "This is by far the largest crowd I've been in" for an iPhone release day, said Anton Prikash, a software developer from Corte Madera. Prikash said Friday marked the third time he had waited in line to buy an iPhone on the first day a new model became available to the public. The rage was enough to inspire dozens to camp overnight at The Village, some arriving as early as 6 p.m. Thursday to stake their spot in line. Alberto Navarro of Oakland arrived at 9 p.m., and spent the night sitting in a metal fold-out chair, watching episodes of "Dr. Who" and various anime television series on his iPad. "I dozed off a couple times, but I pretty much stayed awake the whole night," Navarro said. "I made a mistake by not bringing a jacket. It got chilly." Navarro, wearing blue jeans and a yellow Oakland A's jersey, estimated that he was the 35th person in line. "It's everybody's goal, to have the next hot thing," he said. The new iPhone was such a smash hit in Corte Madera that even legendary slugger Barry Bonds showed up to buy one. The former San Francisco Giants star and Major League Baseball's all-time home run leader was greeted with cheers, including a male voice that yelled, "I love you, Barry," as he exited the Apple Store with a friend. Bonds posed for a photo with a fan in the shopping center parking lot before driving off. People stood in line with their dogs on leashes or babies in strollers. Many sat in some sort of chair -- mostly collapsible camping chairs, but some sat on metal chairs, such as the one Navarro sat in, provided by the Apple Store. One woman worked on her laptop while sitting on a stool, which she dragged forward every time the line moved. A handful of people declined to give their names, saying they were supposed to be elsewhere and didn't want to be outed through a media publication. But not everyone who stood in line on Friday was caught up in the excitement of the iPhone 6's release. Some said it was just time to get a new phone. "I'm only doing it because I'm due for an upgrade," said Sophie Priolo of San Rafael, frustrated by the prospect of waiting in line for a while. "I don't even know what (the new iPhone) does differently. I'm tempted to just come back on Monday." ___ (c)2014 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.) Visit The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.) at www.marinij.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |