Waiting for iPhone: Reading, PA

For all the buzz surrounding the iPhone, the reception here in Reading, a town about 65 miles northwest of Philadelphia has been somewhat muted.

Outside of the AT&T store in the Berkshire Mall on the outskirts of Reading, the line as of early afternoon was only about a half dozen strong. Contrary to those braving the elements in the bigger cities, no one had been waiting in line longer than late morning.

Much of this may have had to do with the mall security's objections to anyone standing outside the mall waiting before its scheduled 9:00am opening time. Mall personnel told me that it had several security measures in place specifically due to the iPhone launch.

"I just got here," 15-year-old Amanda Perez, #3 in the line told me. Already an AT&T customer, she says her uncle was helping her out with the $499 purchase price of the phone. "It's actually going to be his, but I'm going to use it."

The Internet functionality seemed to be a key draw for Amanda, who told me she liked the fact that she would be able to check her MySpace. Also, like many others, she wanted the iPhone for its exclusivity.

"I want to be one of the first to get it," she says.

Things were a bit different for Pete, fifth in line, who may have one the more unique reasons for snagging the device. "I want it for the Internet," he responded. "I could care less about the iPod part."

In fact, Pete says his iPod nano has been stored away in the glovebox of his car for quite a while unused. He also seemed undeterred by the high price for the phone, although he did add that some of his friends "thought I was crazy" for buying it.

About a mile or so away at the other AT&T store in the area, the line was about four times the size of the mall, and was even extending out past other storefronts.

Braving the 80-degree plus weather and the humidity were Jeana Lindsey and friend Matilda Halliday along with their young children, both of which seemed blissfully oblivious to the events of the day.

"We are both big iPod fans, and have been looking forward to this for quite awhile," Jeana said, first in line. She had been there since 6am and came prepared -- complete with laptop and iPod filled with videos and music to pass the time.

However, even though Jeana and Matilda love Apple and iPod, that love isn't enough for them to sit in line for days like some are in New York City and elsewhere. "Getting here at 6am was enough," Matilda added, which her friend agreed.

Both will be buying the $599 version of the iPhone, due to the additional memory. "What's an extra $100 when its already that much," one woman said. Most of the rest of the line seemed to agree with that line of thinking.

One of those was 15-year-old CJ Covell -- fifth in line -- a "self proclaimed nerd" and Mac user who called the device "revolutionary." Unlike those going for the glitz and glamour of Apple's first mobile phone, CJ looked at it from a usability perspective.

Like Pete before him, CJ also spoke highly of the Internet functionality of the device, adding that the fact that it combined several devices into one. With a large music and video collection, he too would also be buying the $599 model.

To pay for it, CJ picked up a part-time job, saving up about $700 to cover the price of the phone along with activation and other related expenses. "The whole reason I got the job was to be able to afford the phone," he told me.

While it may not be New York, where the waiting in line comes with the added bonus of live music and whatnot, here in Reading the buzz is still measurable, albeit in a much more low-key manner.