iPhone 5 frenzy builds ahead of Friday release
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Ms Rachel Mohamed (right) waits as number 14 in line to purchase the Apple iPhone5 outside the Apple flagship store on Sept 19, 2012 in New York City. While most of the people in line were there for commercial purposes, Mohamed was waiting simply to purchase the new device which goes on sale September 21st in the U.S. -- PHOTO: AFP
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This Sept 13, 2012 file photo shows a notice (centre) providing information on ordering the iPhone 5 at an electronics shop in Tokyo, Japan. Gadget lovers have flooded Apple with pre-orders and set up camp outside the company's real-world stores to get their hands on the new-generation iPhone 5 set for release on Sept 21, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Mr Hazem Sayed is seen reflected on his iPad while waiting in line outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue, for Friday's iPhone 5 models to go on sale, in New York, on Sept 19, 2012. Apple said on Monday that pre-orders outstripped initial supply but it would deliver most phones as planned by Friday, the first day of delivery. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Mr Greg Packer, from New York, charges his iPhone with a portable charger while waiting in line outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue, for Friday's iPhone 5 models to go on sale, in New York, on Sept 19, 2012. Apple said on Monday that pre-orders outstripped initial supply but it would deliver most phones as planned by Friday, the first day of delivery. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Mr Hazem Sayed checks his Apple devices while waiting outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue, for Friday's iPhone 5 models to go on sale, in New York, on Sept 19, 2012. Apple said on Monday that pre-orders outstripped initial supply but it would deliver most phones as planned by Friday, the first day of delivery. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Customers use their iPhones while waiting in line outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue, for Friday's iPhone 5 models to go on sale, in New York, on Sept 19, 2012. Apple said on Monday that pre-orders outstripped initial supply but it would deliver most phones as planned by Friday, the first day of delivery. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Ms Rachel Mohamed (right) waits as number 14 in line to purchase the Apple iPhone5 outside the Apple flagship store on Sept 19, 2012 in New York City. While most of the people in line were there for commercial purposes, Mohamed was waiting simply to purchase the new device which goes on sale September 21st in the U.S. -- PHOTO: AFP
This Sept 13, 2012 file photo shows a notice (centre) providing information on ordering the iPhone 5 at an electronics shop in Tokyo, Japan. Gadget lovers have flooded Apple with pre-orders and set up camp outside the company's real-world stores to get their hands on the new-generation iPhone 5 set for release on Sept 21, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Mr Hazem Sayed is seen reflected on his iPad while waiting in line outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue, for Friday's iPhone 5 models to go on sale, in New York, on Sept 19, 2012. Apple said on Monday that pre-orders outstripped initial supply but it would deliver most phones as planned by Friday, the first day of delivery. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Mr Greg Packer, from New York, charges his iPhone with a portable charger while waiting in line outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue, for Friday's iPhone 5 models to go on sale, in New York, on Sept 19, 2012. Apple said on Monday that pre-orders outstripped initial supply but it would deliver most phones as planned by Friday, the first day of delivery. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Mr Hazem Sayed checks his Apple devices while waiting outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue, for Friday's iPhone 5 models to go on sale, in New York, on Sept 19, 2012. Apple said on Monday that pre-orders outstripped initial supply but it would deliver most phones as planned by Friday, the first day of delivery. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Customers use their iPhones while waiting in line outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue, for Friday's iPhone 5 models to go on sale, in New York, on Sept 19, 2012. Apple said on Monday that pre-orders outstripped initial supply but it would deliver most phones as planned by Friday, the first day of delivery. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Gadget lovers have flooded Apple with pre-orders and set up camp outside the company's real-world stores to get their hands on the new generation iPhone 5 set for release on Friday.
"The fact that the iPhone 5 is doing as well as it is opposed to other phones is a tribute to Apple marketing," Gartner analyst Van Baker told AFP.
"They are really good at this." The analyst dismissed efforts by Apple adversary Samsung to poke fun at iPhone fanatics and the lack of innovative handset features in print and video ads.
"I had to laugh at the Samsung ads," Mr Baker said. "It's hardware geeks throwing rocks at Apple; but Apple has a good sense of what is important to include and when." Aspiring iPhone 5 owners started a queue outside the Apple store in Manhattan last week and similar vigils have begun outside the California company's shops at other spots around the world.
