Customers and store employees talk about covers for the new iPad2 at the AT&T store at 14th Street and Lewis Avenue on Friday. The store had only five of the new iPad2s in stock when they went on sale at 5 p.m. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
By far, the retailer garnering the most interest in the device was the Apple Store at Woodland Hills mall – more than 200 people formed a line all the way to the mall's front entrance in hopes of purchasing the product.
The new version of Apple's tablet, which boasts faster speeds, a trimmer body and cameras on the front and back, officially went on sale at retail stores at 5 p.m. Friday.
Kent Tillery arrived before 5 o'clock. He and two other people were the first to set up camp in front of the Apple Store at 6 a.m.
"We've taken turns to go on bathroom breaks and get food," Tillery said.
Although he and his friends were interested in iPads, they were being paid to wait in line by Mark and Cindy Neely, proprietors of the Invisible Shield by Zagg kiosk adjacent the Apple Store. Cindy said the Neelys couldn't keep their screen protector sales site open and stand in line themselves to buy an iPad2.
"We'll have one on display here, and the rest are personal," she said.
The tablet, unveiled by Apple during a media event March 2, is the follow-up to the first iPad, which sold briskly after its release a year ago and inspired a flurry of competing tablet computers.
Several people in the Apple Store line passed the time Friday poking away at their first-generation iPads, including Eric Weber.
He
said he waited in line for all three of the first iPhones and pre-ordered the iPhone 4 and the original iPad. The iPad2 wasn't available for pre-order, but Weber, who said he arrived at 1 p.m., didn't mind."I'm an Apple fan, and coming out here is part of the experience," he said.
Weber said he was purchasing an iPad2 partially so he could write programs for it via his business, SmartMax Software Inc., and partially for his own enjoyment.
"I like that it's faster, thinner and lighter," he said. "It's supposed to be a better tablet experience."
Paula Quillin, who arrived in line at 4:30 p.m., was approximately 170 people from the front.
"I wasn't expecting the line to get this long," she said.
She was hopeful she could get an iPad2, but was nervous about supplies being exhausted by the strong turnout.
Other retailers offering the iPad2 had smaller crowds, although people still arrived early.
Rebecca Waldo showed up before 4 p.m. at the AT&T Wireless store near 14th Street and Lewis Avenue.
"I'm getting it for my husband, Colby," she said. "He told me to just order it online, but I told him I wanted it today."
D.J. Meeker, manager of the AT&T store, said he received only six iPad2s, but he expects to get more soon.
"Our employees have done a lot of training and learning what the new iPad can do," he said.
Terry Rackley, district retail manager for Verizon Wireless, didn't disclose how many units his stores received. But he said he expects the iPad2 will be even a better seller than the original iPad.
"We're definitely excited to have it, since it really boosts our portfolio," he said.
Robert Evatt 918-581-8447
robert.evatt@tulsaworld.com
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