Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

200 line up at Polo Park Apple Store for release of iPhone 5

By: Randy Turner

Posted: 09/22/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

After waiting for 12 hours at the Apple Store in the Polo Park mall, Markus Rogalsky takes a rest. He needs to be in top form when he gets the iPhone 5. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store

Enlarge Image

Bradley Lacroix is one of the first to get his new iPhone 5. He said he feels 'like a better person.' (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store

Call it a phone-omenon.

As many as 200 customers were camped outside the Apple Store in Polo Park Friday morning -- some literally camped beginning on Thursday afternoon -- to be first in line for the iPhone 5.

Ravdin Rampersad, 37, and two friends were the first to queue up at 1 p.m. Thursday, and braved temperatures that fell to near freezing overnight.

"It was pretty chilly, but we had some blankets, coffee... and Chinese food," said Rampersad, who was also first in line for the unveiling of the iPhone 4 at the same store two years ago. "I didn't want to risk the tradition. I wanted to be here first."

When Rampersad, along with wife, Celena, and friend, Joel Chandran, were let into the mall at 6 a.m. Friday, staff at Apple said, "Hey, Ravy."

The smartphone was also launched in the U.S., Great Britain, France and Germany. It will go on sale in 22 more countries next week. The iPhone 5 is thinner, lighter, has a taller screen, faster processor, updated software and runs faster fourth-generation mobile networks than previous models.

Order numbers indicate the iPhone 5 has overcome initial lukewarm reviews. Apple received two million orders in the first 24 hours after announcing its release date, more than twice the number for the iPhone 4S in the same period when it launched a year ago. Analysts have estimated Apple will ship as many as 10 million of the new iPhones by the end of September.

By 3 a.m. Friday, the line at the Winnipeg outlet was approaching 100.

"Love them or hate them, you can't deny that Apple knows how to build the hype," said Bradley Lacroix, 24, an IT programmer. "You don't see lineups like this at Samsung."

Lacroix and his mates, 21-year-old computer program student Jared Mariash and 18-year-old university student Lindsey Watson, survived the night in a little tent. "And snuggles," Watson said.

"Honestly, this is about the experience for me," Mariash said. "This is fun to say we did it."

Naturally, those in the lineup passed away the time on their iPhones and iPads, symbolic of a generation raised on technology where "there's an app for that."

Interestingly, Colin Champagne, a 21-year-old carpenter, said the one application he uses least on his new iPhone is, well, the phone.

"I sold my old iPhone 4 on Kijiji (just before getting in line)," Champagne added. "And I kept reaching in my pocket all night thinking it was still there."

The Apple Store opened its doors at exactly 8 a.m., when staff rushed to greet the customers running around the length of the lineup and cheering. Within minutes, customers started herding through the front doors. Once inside, Lacroix stuck his head out a few minutes later and loudly announced: "It's so beautiful guys! It's awesome!"

There were TV cameras and reporters waiting for the first customers to show off their wares.

When Celena Rampersad was asked if it was crazy to camp out for more than 30 hours for a phone, she smiled and replied: "I think it's crazy not to be here."

Added Lacroix: "It's good. I feel like a better person."

randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 22, 2012 B1

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.