Customers started lining up at 5 a.m. today, July 11, outside the Apple Store at the Columbia mall to buy the new iPhone 3G.

Shortly before 1 p.m., more than 170 people were still in line outside the store waiting for a chance to purchase the new iPhone, which retails for $199, has Internet speed that is twice as fast as the first version of the iPhone and boasts a new Global Positioning System application.

Karl Kyhl, 40, of Frederick, had been standing in line at 12:30 p.m. for about an hour and was still near the beginning of the line. He said he was waiting for the phone because of its faster Internet capabilities and the GPS application.

“I was just ready to do it. I’ve been looking forward to it,” Khyl said.

Ben McNichols, 27, of Ellicott City, said he was primarily interested in the new phone because of its faster Internet speeds.

Alli Hufnagel, 28, of Baltimore, said she had waited with anticipation to update her cell phone.

“I’m tired of my phone. I’m excited to get an iPhone. I’ve been looking forward to it coming out,” she said.

A store manager declined comment.

---

user comments (0)