Change of plans: Apple stores to open at 7 a.m. Friday

Click the photo for more pics of last year's iPhone launch.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Apple Stores will now open an hour earlier than planned on Friday when the iPhone 3G S goes on sale.

Doors will now open at 7 a.m. in all time zones instead of 8 a.m. as the company had previously stated. The move makes sense since AT&T stores are opening at 7 a.m. Friday, though only for customers who pre-ordered an iPhone. AT&T's doors will open to sell the phones at 9 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

As usual, we'll be following iPhone sales in various time zones. Will Apple fans stand in line for the third straight year? We'll find out. In the meantime, click the photo above for a gallery of very committed line standers from the 2008 launch of the iPhone 3G.

[reyes89]

will there be grenadiers and riot control :P

[yacahuma]

I dont think people will stand in line. Why would they? Almost everyone that wanted an iphone, has it and there is not tech shift like with the first generation.

[externallain]

I have to agree. Unless you desperately need the latest tech (read: better camera).

[ikramerica--2008]

You can "not think" all you want. But I was in the Apple store near me last wednesday, and they already had over 500 pre-orders. That was 1 week ago. They were expecting huge lines and were working out a strategy to deal with the people, and still serve non-iPhone customers. That was 1 week ago. And this is Pasadena, not like there aren't other Apple stores within a few miles (like Glendale, Sherman Oaks, Downtown LA, etc.). And two AT&T stores down Colorado Blvd. I imagine places with only one Apple store for miles will be swamped.

As for "everyone who wanted one, getting one already" that is so not true. I waited for 2 years until a 32GB version came out. My Dad's wife waited until the price dropped. So she is getting the $99 8GB tomorrow, and my 32GB is shipping to me for Friday.

[pepestudio_dotmac]

Thank god, I have one shipping to me. Whew!

[anubis76]

so now that they're opening at 7, is that 1st hour for pre-orders only; like what AT&T is doing? or is it still 1st come 1st serve?

[myles taylor]

I know a few of my coworkers who are getting it shipped. Why wait in line when you can just have it delivered?

[ikramerica--2008]

That's what I figured. I had decided to go pick it up, and "pre-ordered" at the store down the street, only to find out both 1. I would have to wait in line for hours AND 2. my "pre-order" did not assure me a phone anyway.

So I just went back to the Apple website and ordered it for delivery instead. No line, no muss, no fuss.

[Grumpypaul]

I'm gonna be the first one in line.

Oh wait, I have Verizon service.

Oh well.

[Vegaman_Dan]

It's less than 72 hours from the release and... there's nobody in line. With the first release, we had some folks standing in line a week in advance. Even with the second gen, it was five days. This time?

Meh. The shine has worn off standing in line for such things.

I'll try picking one up in a week or two. Maybe three. I'm not exactly in a rush.

[ikramerica--2008]

If you weren't such a troll, I'd believe you...

[andaryas]

I just updated to 3.0 and now I can see Farsi and Arabic clearly and can type. Praise the LORD!

[etiahwhite]

No need to stand in line this year....I wish they had the home delivery option last year when I stood line for 8 hours...No complaints though I met some interesting people and still have a phone that I'm quite please with (no desire to upgrade to the 3Gs)