Apple tends to make it look like it ain’t no thang to have one of the most successful retail operations of all time, but photographs taken on Thursday of in-store preparations for the new iPad offer a hint at how much work it really takes. The photographs below were taken in line at the Carlsbad Apple Store in Carlsbad, CA as people began lining up for the new iPad launch.
As of 9:30 PM PDT (6:30 PM EDT) on Thursday, seven people had already lined up for their chance to get a new iPad at 8:00 AM the next morning (see the image below). Most were hard core iPad fans, as five of them were upgrading from iPad 1 and iPad 2 models, while the 6th was a first time buyer. The seventh person was too shy to talk to us.
Launch lines for the last few iOS device releases have been smaller than launch events in the past because Apple has made the devices available for pre-order on at the online Apple Store for launch-day delivery.
Lining Up for the Overnight Launch Line
All photos by MacCast’s Adam Christianson
While we were there, Apple left the front windows to the store clear, offering a a glimpse into just what it takes to change over a store for a new product.
All of the backlit marketing signs have to come down.
And as Blood, Sweat, and Tears once reminded us, what goes down, must go back up (or something to that effect.)
There are also the window dressing props.
“The new iPad, Available March 16th at 8:00 AM”
Busy Bees