Hundreds show up to buy latest iPhone
June 28, 2009 by Eric
Filed under CELL & MOBILE ACCESSORIES, CELL & MOBILE Information, CELL & MOBILE PHONES
About 200 people lined up Friday morning in Tokyo’s Omotesando district for the chance to buy Apple Inc.’s new iPhone 3GS, the latest model in the iPhone series and Softbank Corp.’s mobile phone lineup.
Many had already lined up outside the Softbank flagship store by 6:30 a.m.
“The revolution of the Internet . . . the mobile Internet is growing, and people can always carry (some device to connect to) the Internet, and the Internet will be part of their daily lives,” said Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son at a ceremony that started at 6:40 a.m. at the shop, where popular actress Aya Ueto was also on hand.
Son told the crowd his iPhone had changed his lifestyle in the past year, saying he accesses the Internet at least three times more frequently than he used to.
The new models come with a faster processor that enables its texting service program to start up 2.1 times faster. The built-in camera is upgraded from 2 megapixels to 3 and is now equipped with auto-focus.
The 16-gigabyte model is priced at ¥11,520, while the 32-GB version is ¥23,040, based on a special campaign offer that obliges consumers to sign up to use the phone for at least two years.
“I am so excited that I can’t really find words to say,” said Taisuke Fujimoto of Tokyo, a 22-year-old student who was the first in line.
