Video: An Apple Store trifecta
"Yes, I am a nerd!" -- JaxBearsFan
Despite the recession, Apple (AAPL) opened three new retail outlets on Saturday — in Mississauga, Ont., Naperville, Ill., and Reston, Va. — and its fan base obliged by forming long snaking queues and posting hand-held videos documenting the madness that ensued.
These YouTube videos — complete with T-shirted Apple employees happily making fools of themselves — have become icons of the company's extraordinary appeal. What other brand, in or out of the computer industry, can command such loyalty or draw such crowds?
The event in Mississauga, outside Toronto, generated the most video — much of it apparently created by prepubescent girls on in-store Macs.
Our favorite moment: when the high-fiving Naperville videographer who calls himself JaxBearsFan turns the camera on himself and declares: "Yes, I am a nerd!"
Below the fold: Three sample videos.
Main Place, Naperville, Ill.
Square One Shopping Centre, Mississauga, Ont.
Reston, Va., Town Center
Thanks for reader Ron in Palo Alto, Calif., for the tip.
The Microsoft "Spewn" (Zune) is yet another poorly thought out way for MS to waste millions of dollars. They seem to do it gladly and often and their shareholders don't seem to raise much fuss. Microsoft continues to trip badly behind everything Apple does because all they do is try to copy. They are a thoroughly unoriginal company. Everything we see appears to be evidence of that, non?
The Zune HD is a nice device with decent hardware and all, but honestly with crowds that will wait on line for hours just to get into an Apple store opening day, do you really think Microsoft is going to sell very many Zunes. Microsoft is basically spitting into a gale force wind. I don't know how many people in that line actually bought any products, but I'll bet they had a really fun time. They sure don't look unhappy. I'll bet these areas will be saturated with Mac users and switchers within a year (providing they can afford to buy Mac products).
As for the upcoming Microsoft retail stores, I wonder if they even have a loyal fanbase. It's seems like Windows users would jump brands in order to save $10. Like, give me anything or whatever as long as it's cheaper.
My goodness, is this really you Phil? I had to double check to see if it was your byline. Are you having an out-of-body experience today?
Seriously, thanks for the blurb and the videos. Brand loyalty is not to be taken lightly in this economy.
Cue the Microsoft sponsored – director shot – pseudo fanboi videos that will be plastered all over YouTube when the Microsoft store hits.
I drove by the Reston store this afternoon (Sunday) about 2:00. Good traffic around the store, but no lines, etc. It'll be good to have an Apple store so close.
rattyuk has nailed it.
I add my thanks to PED for sharing the video. A fun interlude.