Smartphone lines; rock concerts for the mobile phone geek
Yes, I am in line yet again for a new smartphone. The funny thing is that I was not planning to line up for the Palm Pre or this current iPhone 3G S just two weeks ago. I couldn't resist the Pre with my business trip to Hawaii and desire to get some good hands-on time with the Pre. I was able to sell my iPhone 3G for a good price on Craigslist yesterday that makes this iPhone 3G S a fairly inexpensive upgrade and after reading several reviews I think I will really appreciate the updated camera, faster speed, and longer battery life (I still want Pandora to stream in the background though Apple). People used to sleep outside for days for concert tickets (maybe they still do) and I see these smartphone lines as nothing really different. The original iPhone was the first time I stood in line and now it has become something of a geek tradition with my 3rd iPhone line.
I was first for the original iPhone, then about 15 or so in a line for the iPhone 3G about a month after release, 3rd for the Palm Pre, and now about 10th for the iPhone 3G S. I figure if I am going to get up early at all to get into a line for a phone, then I need to get up early enough to ensure I actually get a device. What the heck else would I be doing, sleeping? Sleep is way overrated at this time in my life :)
It is always fun to spend time chatting with other smartphone fans and these smartphone lines are another way to get together and have a little party. Most everyone is happy and excited about the prospective device and the early line people are usually power users or enthusiasts like myself. If you want, you can follow my line Tweets on Twitter and check out some videos I plan to take on Qik.
The other geeks in line are fine with the early lineup and excited about the devices, but there are often people who walk by (and my wife of course) who question what in the heck we are doing lining up for a phone. They commonly ask, "Isn't it just a phone?" To us mobile enthusiasts, it is so much more than a phone and considering that I actually only use about 200 minutes a month on the phone it is more of a mobile computer to me and many others. Then again, I wish some people would remember that these are just phones so don't get so fired up and defensive if someone doesn't use the same model as you do. We all have different phones we like and each person has different needs and desires so let's just be happy that there are so many excellent devices to choose from today.