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Photos: Who's in the iPhone queue?

'It's cold but we want an iPhone... '
By Natasha Lomas, Contributor
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1 of 5 Natasha Lomas/ZDNET

'It's cold but we want an iPhone... '

Standing in line: The chilly winds of November may have been sweeping through the capital's streets today but cold air couldn't dissuade a small but hardcore huddle of Mac faithful from queuing outside Apple's flagship Regent Street store in anticipation of today's UK launch of the long anticipated - and much hyped - iPhone, due to take place at 18:02(GMT).

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

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2 of 5 Natasha Lomas/ZDNET

All about the iPhone: At lunchtime this afternoon there was no sign of any iPhones inside the store - although there was no shortage of Apple staff.

Outside, those in the front of the queue at least were able to keep their spirits up with the help of the giant iPhone window display as a backdrop.

Many of those queuing had brought fold-up chairs. Others sat patiently on the pavement.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

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Media scrum: There was no shortage of press either - camera-touting journalists often seemed to take up more pavement than those queuing - keeping the Mac faithful busy with questions and requests for photos...

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

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Why are we waiting? The back of the queue tailed off down Hanover Street - with a section of unimpeded pavement separating it from the head of the queue on Regent Street so the shops next door to the Apple store could get some of their own customers today.

Despite knowing they could walk into any O2 or Carphone Warehouse store and pick up an iPhone without having to queue, one person waiting in line said it's all about being part of "the event".

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

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5 of 5 Natasha Lomas/ZDNET

The fans: Tomek, who is maintaining an iPhone queuing blog, Nik and Graham said they had been in the queue since yesterday morning.

The trio - like many of their fellow queuers - had been kitted out with hoodies and hats courtesy of The Cloud. Various other freebies had been handed out too - including pizza, hot drinks and donuts - from a variety of companies all too happy to step in and cut themselves a slice of hype pie.

Apple did not stand unmoved by the plight of the fans when it rained in the night, said Tomek - it supplied umbrellas.

Photo credit: Natasha Lomas

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