Queues begin for iPhone 4S in London but Kindle 4 fails to excite the masses

Apple fans are well-known for their fanatical support for any product the firm unveils, and even the ever-so-slightly underwhelming iPhone 4S has not dampened their enthusiasm, with six people already queuing at the Regent Street store in London.

Five of those in the queue were from iPhone jail breaking group Jailbreak Con who had been in line since Friday last week to ensure they are first to get their hands on what has been described by some as an "iPhone 4 on steroids".

They said they intend to get a 16GB version of the device as Apple's new iCloud service makes any more storage unnecessary. The sixth member of the queue wasn't part of that group but looked content enough enjoying some time with his Macbook.

Meanwhile down at the Covent Garden Apple store, recently the scene of a smash and grab robbery, there were no signs of any queues in progress, just the lone figure of one Robert Shoesmith, who's been camping out for eight days as part of a publicity stunt.

V3 asked Shoesmith if when he first started queueing he had actually been expecting the iPhone 5 to be launched, rather than the subsequently announced iPhone 4S. Shoesmith admitted he had, but added that he intended to get his hands on the new device anyway.

Well, if you've queued for 11 days you need something to show for your efforts. Shoesmith is expecting some company come Wednesday, which will be nice for the poor chap, who was looking a tad sleep deprived and confessed to being a bit bored.

However, he did see some of the excitement of Sunday night when the store was robbed, waking at 1:15am to the sound of bikes buzzing around the area before they zoomed off and the police arriving on the scene. Now that's a jail broken iPhone.

Meanwhile, across town at the Dixons store on Oxford Circus the brand new Kindle 4 was on sale, priced at a low £89 and boasting a new smaller, lighter design as well as a graphical keyboard.

Currys, clearly keen to generate a false buzz of excitement around the launch, breathlessly sent out a press release telling the media it expected to sell of stock within 24 hours.

V3 popped along and spoke with sales staff in the store who looked bemused when asked if they had seen this anticipated rush, saying they didn't think they'd even sold one unit and that there were still 40-odd devices in stock.

When it comes to queues, it appears Apple's got it licked.

11 Oct 2011