New iPhones draw crowds locally, nationally

iPhone line outside the U. Village Apple store Friday morning.





SEATTLE -- The annual holiday for Apple fans is here. The new iPhones went on sale in the U.S., China and seven other countries Friday, and throngs of people lined up around the world to be among the first to snag one.

Outside Apple's flagship New York retail outlet on Fifth Avenue early Friday morning, the line wrapped around the store and then stretched for three more city blocks. Apple employees were high-fiving customers once doors opened at 8 a.m.

The crowd waiting for new iPhones is usually a mix of Apple diehards and more casual fans, plus people hoping to resell the devices for a profit. A few marketers are also on hand, hawking their wares to the masses waiting on line.

In New York, one man wearing basketball shorts was handing out cards and asking people to take a look at his son's app. Staffers from trade-in service Gazelle walked around handing out free pretzels.

Another man, who was not on line, just kept screaming, "Is anyone excited for the iPhone? Is anyone excited for the iPhone?"

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