Though Friday was the first day that the latest iPhone became available at Apple stores, many customers chose to endure the cold weather and wait in the long lines as a remembrance of Steve Jobs, the visionary from the company who had died only the week before.
This was the first product release since the death of Jobs, and was a tribute to him. Some of the waiting customers kidded that the “S” in the new iPhone 4S model stands for “Steve”.
One of the customers in New York, Tony Medina, a student, waited on Fifth Avenue in the rain outside the Apple flagship store for nine hours. His initial intention had been to purchase the new mobile device online, but instead he decided to honor Jobs by joining the line of approximately 200 people.
He explained that “For loyalty, I felt I had to do the line,” and that “I had to say thank you.”
This new version of the iPhone has become available in seven different countries and features improved software, better speed, and a better camera than previous models. However, this particular release has occurred at a time when it is difficult for the company to uphold the same excitement that has been associated with previous unveilings.
The device is now very broadly available. Instead of being sold only in Apple stores, it is also available through Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp., and AT&T Inc. Walmart and Target stores and some other authorized sellers also carry the device. The iPhone 4S has also been available for pre-order through the Apple website.
