LIVE BLOG: iPad2 San Francisco queue

Early this morning, V3.co.uk US editor Iain Thomson took to the streets of downtown San Francisco in hopes of getting his hands on Apple's latest iPad. He has agreed to live blog the entire experience here on Mac Inspector...

Live: From the queue for the new iPad 2

Today Apple releases the iPad 2 and if you want to get one the only way to be sure is to either work for Apple or wait in line outside a store. V3.co.uk is here and will be updating progress throughout the day.

1000 It's been an unusual morning in San Francisco, and not just because of the queue outside the Apple store. Sirens sounded this morning to warn that a tsunami was on the way following the earthquake in Japan. The city was warned by some excitable news sources that waves could be over a metre this morning but so far no huge waves have been seen.

The news didn't faze some people, however. The first people in the queue got into position at 4am this morning, according to Apple staff, and there's about 70 people in line so far. The odd thing is that the majority of the early queuers are elderly Chinese couples. I suspect the grandparents are waiting so their kids don't have to.

1045 The queue now extends around the corner of Stockton Street and down O'Farrell. Judging from the amount of iPhones, iPads and MacBooks in evidence this is a crowd of hardcore Apple fans.

The response from passers-by ranges from amusement to casting sotto voce comments about how sad we all are. Met a very nice German couple who wanted to know what was going on. They are both waiting until the iPad comes out in Europe but spent a pleasant few minutes chatting with the queue.

1115 Apple staff have informed us that there has been a huge amount of orders by phone for the iPad 2. I can understand it – spending the day out here is a bit chilly out of the sun. The wait for delivery if you did phone in an order is now up to three weeks, staff say. If you want an iPad 2 you have to be in line.

1141 Nice one, Apple are bringing around food for the loyal queuers. Apples appropriately enough, along with nuts and healthy snacks. A very nice touch, and very welcome.

Line growth has slowed down. I'd guestimate we're up to 250 people.

1225 Queue depression has now set in. We've been here for a while and the excitement is wearing thin.

Chatting to people in the queue, there's a very high proportion of overseas buyers here. I've met people from Denmark, Hong Kong, Spain and China, all of whom are here so they can take their technology home. If customs officers are on their toes then the US government could be facing a big pay day.

1255 Shaun has arrived to take video and pictures (to be published shortly) and to hold my place in line so I could spend a penny. If you're ever caught short in the Union Square area of SF I can highly recommend the facilities in the Apple store.

1315 There's an ugly rumour that people are trying to sell their places in the queue. Investigating...

1410 OK, that looks like a rumour only. Would have updated sooner but Verizon's 3G service is about as stable as Charlie Sheen.

Apple has said that no more than two iPads will be sold per person. I'm currently evaluating offers from a number of sources on my second purchase. Any bids to the Twitter feed please.

A few pictures from the queue...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1510 The sight of a queue has got marketers of all sorts salivating. So far I've received a flier on a new location-based form of Craigslist and a nifty little credit card reader that slots into an iPad or iPhone and allows you to swipe your card directly, in exchange for a 2.75 per cent cut of the transaction.

This being SF, the crazies are also out. One bloke has been trying to tell me professional sports are the road to hell and a very polite Christian offered me a leaflet on eternal salvation. I thanked him but said I was an atheist.

"That's fine," he said. "I won't hold it against you." "Nor I you," was my response.

1550 More marketers – this time an inspired campaign by Red Bull. We need the caffeine.

1605 OK, the end is in sight, and there's been a sudden rush of people to the queue. I'd estimate 600 people are now waiting and unfortunately the Apple store has closed its doors, so no more toilet breaks. Starbucks and Macys are getting heavy bathroom traffic. Less than an hour and it can't come too soon.

1658 The chairs are getting packed up and people are ready to roll. Is Apple ready is the question?

1715 Yes, is the answer. The queue is moving fast and we've all been given tickets to show what model we want. Almost everyone in the queue is buying two units, and most are going for the original black design.

1735 We were ushered into the shop one by one, swiftly handed over a minimum of $550 and received our new iPads. An awful lot of people were paying in cash and everyone had a smile on their face. Apple staff were nothing but helpful and applauded people as they left – a nice touch if a bit corny.