The BBC covered the event [Vox O'Malley can be seen coyly entering and high fiving the double line of Apple staff.] and several bloggers recorded the occasion, Here and Here.
I was there from 6:40am, an enthusiastic effort on my part. The crowd were in great spirits and I met some great people – thanks also to Starbucks for donating free mini hot chocolates!
At the risk of adding cheese to the Apple pie, I did think it was an unusual sight in cynical Belfast to see such smiles, albeit for a beloved retail brand. It was, I do think, and is, “good” for Belfast.
My own footage is here:
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I don’t know which is more sad – the fact that i knew so many people in that queue or the fact that i wasn’t there…
Have now watched the video 4 times (twice before I knew you were in it, but let’s face it, you were bound to be) and still can’t spot you for sure… possible sighting at around the 1:20 mark?
I also recognise the second guy who gets interviewed – who is he?
Just as the camera begins looking from inside the store down the narrow line of Apple staff high fiving… I’m wearing black jacket and just enter the door awkwardly before the camera switches. Trust me… I know that “feel a bit wick and yet pleased to be here” gait anywhere.
I “feel wick” by association alone.
Vox. You need to get out more – no, in fact, that’s what caused this debacle. Just stay in. Stay in and blog more.
The question is… How much did he spend?!?
Truthfully I didn’t spend anything for myself… didn’t intend to… just get a free T-shirt and catch the “vibe”. I did buy some “educational” software for the kids.
I do need to get some “software” that automatically detects gratuitous use of “quotation” “marks”.
all imaging taken with apple products I assume? At least you didn’t wear your apple attire to the opening…?
You have Apple attire?
Only my untercrackers.
People will look back on videos like this in years to come, and be a little bemused.. i suspect. the brand as superstar, genius. retail cathedrals. Waaaaaay too many non ironic high-5s. cynic free zone.
Must admit im heading down the apple store in bristol this lunch time to ‘have a look’ … so people in glass fronted shops shouldnt throw stones i guess
I happened to be in Chennai when the iPhone 3G released to much acclaim and comically awful live television broadcasts at the stroke of midnight. Amazing hoopla for a business/luxury item selling at US $650 — with no service contract. The iPhone will always, I suppose, be a business/luxury purchase in that regional economy (and most others, I imagine). On the other hand, I was fascinated to see that elegant design embraced in a place that seems dramatically different in so many ways from the aesthetic culture of Cupertino, California. That, plus this: two Indian telecoms offer service at about a penny a minute. I would gladly have paid $650 if I could buy 3G service at a penny a minute.