Short lines but high interest in third generation iPhone

Lines formed early today at area AT&T and Apple Stores as the third generation of the popular iPhone was unleashed on the gadget-crazy masses.

All 64 AT&T stores in Illinois opened three hours early at 7 a.m. to begin distributing pre-ordered devices that offer voice control and video features and are also faster and more powerful than their predecessors.

But it was another new feature that Wheaton resident Julie Lindquist was most excited about as she waited for the Oakbrook Terrace AT&T store to open.

"I really think the compass is great," she said. "Seriously. MapQuest is only good if you know where north is."

Apple Stores initially planned to open at 8 a.m., but instead opened at 7 a.m. to the delight of customers. Unlike last year's opening day debacle for the original iPhone 3G, when a computer system failure stalled early sales at Apple Stores, customers easily wove their way through makeshift corrals leading to store entrances Friday.

It took Lake Zurich's Jeff Faetz less than a half-hour to get in the door and purchase the phone after waiting in his truck through thunderstorms at Deer Park's Apple Store. The storms kept him awake all night, but didn't deter him from his goal.

"I have a full day of work ahead of me," he said.

The price plan for the new phones ranges from $499 to $199, depending on whether existing customers qualify for an upgrade and the kind of memory the customer wants in the device. The iPhone 3GS comes in either a 16-gigabyte version or a 32-gigabyte version.

New customers are able to get the most powerful of the new version for $299, but some existing customers will have to wait to purchase at that price because of the time remaining on their existing contracts.

Critics contend the new devices aren't as great a leap in technology as in years past, which may hinder sales. An AT&T spokeswoman would not say how many pre-orders the company received. Many didn't believe the limited new features would create the kind of draw as the past two versions of the device, but the early crowds may prove them wrong.

The new iPhone is Anthony Valente's third. He gave away his original iPhone to his older sister when he purchased the second-generation device last year. Now, he's planning to give his older brother that iPhone.

"I thought this time I wouldn't have to wait so long in line," he said outside the AT&T store in Wheaton. "I guess I was wrong."

Close to 50 people waited in line outside after the store opened, while another dozen inside purchased their phones under the watchful gaze of an armed security guard. Wheaton resident Mike Neville was bringing up the rear of that line, waiting to purchase his first iPhone.

"My kids both have them and they talked me into it," Neville said. "I figured I might as well get the best one. Now they're going to be jealous because mine will be better."

Even some of the folks in line thought the hype over the phone was silly and didn't believe many people would show up for Friday's launch.

"It's just a phone," said Downers Grove resident Malik Ghanayem. "People aren't going to throw their phone away in a bad economy. But I'm doing it for my wife, to make her happy. I'm being a nice husband."

Daily Herald Staff Writer Kim Mikus contributed to this report.

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