Hundreds lining up in the rain. Random abuse from passers-by. It looks like antenna-gate did nothing to kill the usual euphoric reception Apple fans give to new iPhones.
The big question in the lead-up to today's official launch of the iPhone 4 in Australia - would the much-maligned phone still see people lining up in the middle of the night to be among the first owners?
After all, it's been two years since the iPhone first landed. Back in 2008, the phone had people shivering through the night to be first through the door. This time, they did it again.
We attended last night 's Optus launch "party", where there were at least 400 queuing till midnight. Telstra claims "hundreds" were lined up down George Street for their midnight store opening, while there were several hundred who showed up for Vodafone's launch.
We were also at this morning's Apple store, which also drew a crowd of hundreds, the majority to purchase the phone outright.
Big Apple product launches are always curious events - not least for Apple's ability to drew crowds of people willing to lineup in uncomfortable conditions for hours on end, even endure occasional abuse from bewildered passers-by.
The most comical moment of the night? The person who drove past the crowd outside Optus' store, yelling "Baaaaaaaaa" like a sheep at the top of his voice.
On the way - videos of the launch night as well as from Sydney's George Street Apple store....
[Main article image courtesy Telstra. Gallery images, PC Authority]
