London throng queues up for iPad 2 (photos)
Hundreds of people lined up to buy an iPad 2 as the second-generation Apple tablet went on sale in England. Hundreds more gawkers came to watch.
Head of the iPad 2 line
Jewels Lewis sits at his spot at the front of the London Apple store line to buy an iPad 2 on the day the tablet went on sale in England. Lewis waited in line from 7:30 a.m. March 24 to 5 p.m. March 25, but that's a lot shorter than the 3 to 4 weeks Apple estimates it'll take to receive an iPad 2 through an online order right now.
Early arrivers, early adopters
Ben Paton, left, and Craig Fox arrived more than 24 hours in advance to buy iPad 2s in London.
Apple reseller
Catherine Cheng, at front, planned to buy a pair of iPad 2s then sell them to friends. They'd been in line since 7:30 a.m., and nine hours later, the sun was setting.
Jewels Lewis' golden tickets
Jewels Lewis was first to receive Apple tickets used to help smooth the iPad 2 purchasing process. He likened them to Willy Wonka's golden tickets.
New iPad 2 owners
Some of the first people to get an iPad 2, brandishing their commercial conquests above their heads, emerged from the Apple store to cheering crowds snapping photos of the celebrities of the moment.
Sorry, come back later
This man (left) wanted a repair for his laptop on the wrong day. He was turned away because the Apple store was closed until the 5 p.m. iPad 2 launch.
End of the line
St. George Street, a block and a half away from the Apple store entrance, accommodated a few hundred people at the end of a line that doubled back on itself.
Double-decker bus by the Apple store
A double-decker London bus pushed gently through crowds in front of the store. Police tried constantly to clear the sidewalk, or as they say in England, the pavement.
Hanover Street overflow
The first overflow section of the iPad 2 purchase line trailed down Hanover Street. Apple set up barricades with trash bags attached, handed out water to those in line, and hired security guards to keep an eye out overnight.
iPad 2 line
Apple's crowd controllers gradually moved people in batches from one segment of the line to another. Here's a curved section at the intersection of Hanover and St. George streets.
Photo op
As many gawkers as buyers showed up to see the iPad 2 launch event. Many took photos.
Apple storefront
The iPad 2 launch drew a throng much larger than just the buyers.
More Galleries
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?