Update, 6 p.m. PT: The pop-up Apple Store in Austin is indeed a pop-up Apple Store in Austin. And it's now open. With a line that stretches more than a full block, the store is slowly processing iPad 2 buyers in town for SXSW. Our gallery has also been updated with pictures of the store's innards.
AUSTIN, Texas--Apple has declined to comment on whether the under-construction space at South Congress Avenue and Sixth Street downtown here is, in fact, a pop-up Apple store created just for the South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSW) and the launch this afternoon of the iPad 2. That hasn't stopped a small line from forming around the corner of the storefront hours in advance.
Most of those in line were wearing large SXSW badges, suggesting that they're out-of-towners looking to nab their iPads while they're in town--but a few may have been locals who want to get their hands on an iPad 2 but have been discouraged by reports that shipping times for the device have stretched out to several weeks.
The iPad 2 goes on sale at 5 p.m. local time.
