We’re outside the store. Opening in an hour. 12th in the queue - another t-shirt for the collection

Click here for Mike’s review of the day

Photos and videos

Two tired, hungry but happy MacBiter’s finally leave the Apple Store with 2 16GB White iPhones. Thanks to all the Apple Store staff for their help and patience….but a BIG thumbs-down to O2 and their flaky system that runs on IE (have you ever seen VMWare Fusion running Windows on a Mac in an Apple Store?)

Been here almost 4 hours (and in the store for 3 hours). O2 systems are playing up, but we have 1 iPhone in our hands!

Here we are live outside The Apple Store, Trafford Centre. It’s 7:10am and they open in 50 minutes!! The guys from the Store have brought out hot chocolate, coffee and water. But the question is…do we go for black or white? Well all will be revealed in the next episode!

iPhone iPhone iPhone

Thanks to our mate Mark Johnson for the photo below. Mark was in the queue and one of the first to buy a phone on Launch Day . Mark also has one of the biggest Mac collections.

Some people said I was mad, going to The Trafford Centre and standing in the queue (well strictly speaking I was outside the queue) when I wasn’t even buying the thing. “It’s all part of the Apple Experience” I told them. “Geek” was their reply (or maybe it was “freak”!). Anyway I enjoyed myself and that’s all that matters. You can hear all about it on the next episode of The MacBites Podcast. Meanwhile, enjoy the pics….

sorry I’ve been quiet, iPhone really has left me speechless! Thankfully, I can still use my fingers and this keyboard is a complete revolutionary improvement on any portable device keyboard that I’ve ever attempted to tap at in anger.I hope that doesn’t sound like a complete exageration - believe me, it isn’t.I’ve been a gadget nut for ever and enjoyed (or fell for) the hype of several product launches, but never has a device surpassed my expectations to such an extent.All too often we hear the word convergence, but few really deliver a device to satisfy the expectations of the buying masses who want to carry less items in their pockets - but now I travel lighter!
Safe to say, i’m lovin’ it!
Be aware, I may be inclined to mention iPhone in future podcasts.

Live from outside the Apple Store Trafford Centre, Manchester.Well not long to go now - and I’m sat here getting a numb behind on this marble floor!It’s 12:20 and I’m 6th in line. I thought I was a touch insane, but the two guys at the front have been here since 8am this morning.More updates to follow.

13:20 - My behind is really numb already - but we keep smiling.12:51 still only nine in the queue - so no crowd trouble for the bouncers yet!

15:00 - MikeT plays Superman and reveals his MacBites garb

*Looks like he changed in the toilets to me!!*

15:40 Battery running low now, both the laptop and mine - but here are some more pic

Oh, there are about 40 in the queue now

17:20 There’s now around 200 in the queue - more arriving as I type.

I’ll make this the last post as Batt is low and it’s nearly time.

17:30 BTW Just for the occasion, get on to iTunes and buy Perfect Timing (This Morning) by Orba Squara

19:40 Home at last, but not even opened it yet - Elaine and MikeT insisted I post the final pic from the Trafford Centre

Now down to the activation. Hopefully I’ll post with iPhone in a short while.

Other Leopard Launch videos from around the world on YouTube

A short video clip and a photo taken at The Leopard Launch at Manchester Arndale. By Mark Johnson of The North West Mac User Group

I can’t believe it, I thought I’d seen it all, but no….. We’ve just met Jemma here in the queue and she has a tattoo of the original Apple rainbow logo - Yes, the multi-coloured Apple logo is placed on her left hip.

Well it’s in the bag! We have Leopard…. oh and the T-Shirt.

Congrats to our new friends Ben and Jemma on their new iMac purchase - they’ll love it.

Just got home, and my 12 year old son is chuffed with his new T-shirt - let’s be honest, it’s been a good while since I’ve been in a size medium. OK I should have checked, but did kinda presume the Apple store rep would be able to tell I need at least a Large one.

Anyway, enough whining - lets get installing.