release date

9:45 am PST: The line in front of the downtown San Francisco Apple store has grown considerably since yesterday evening, when there were only four groups camped out. In fact, there are roughly 80 people who have set up shop on the sidewalk for what looks to be a long, foggy day in the Bay Area. The line at a neighboring AT&T store, where the phone is also being released, is, well, pretty sparse at the moment. Both the AT&T and Apple stores will release the iPhone at 6 pm tonight (local time). I was pleased to see more female representation among the crowd this morning, with about 30 or so women bundled up amid the campers. The crowd in front of the Apple store is passing the time listening to their iPods, playing with their laptops (Macs, of course), waging in fierce Battleship games and being amused by the troupe of clowns.

To check out more pictures from the line,  read more

In case you have been living under a rock, today is the official release day of the highly anticipated device of all devices- the iPhone! If you plan on getting your hands on an iPhone you better step away from the computer, pack a lunch, water and some snacks and make your way to an Apple or AT&T/Cingular store.

I've put together a simple iPhone Release Guide with links to some of the best recourses on the web, including Gridskipper, who has created a series of "Ultimate Campout Guides" for Old Town Pasadena, SF Stonestown, NYC Fifth Avenue, LA Century City, SF Downtown and NYC Soho.

AT&T has hired 2,000 temporary workers to handle the expected crowds and will close down locally at 4.30 p.m. on Friday to prepare for the launch, then reopen at 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Whatever you do, don't follow professional line man Greg Packer's example and please keep your shirt on. Of course, don't forget to take lots of photos from the line and with your new phone and share them with us! To learn how to post your photos in the Geeky Things I Love group, read more

There is only person who tops the wacky iPhone boy when it comes to excitement over the device's release. That is this man pictured at the front of the line of the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in New York City. While he's fully stocked with Scooby snacks and what appears to be Gatorade - I counted eight plastic and paper bags full of goodies - he seems to have forgotten his sunscreen and shirt. Does this man, who is reportedly from Long Island and named Greg Packer, have what it takes to make it? I'm thinking an appointment with a waxer might be necessary.

The iPhone will be released in the US this upcoming Friday at 6 pm local time and if you don't already have your location mapped, snacks packed and water bottles in the freezer, you should probably consider making a game plan. (Of course if you're not buying one, this story is not for you.) Here are some tips to help you organize your iPhone day:

• Urban travel site Gridskipper has created a series of "Ultimate Campout Guides" for Old Town Pasadena, SF Stonestown, NYC Fifth Avenue, LA Century City, SF Downtown and NYC Soho. The guides features tips about the Apple stores, where you can get free WiFi, where to stay (you'll be booking a five-star hotel too, right?), free bathrooms, close snack shacks and of course iPhone-worthy restaurants.
• If you plan on getting your iPhone from a Cingular (now AT&T) store, be sure to find the closest location with the AT&T store finder. AT&T has hired 2,000 temporary workers to handle the expected crowds and will close down locally at 4.30 p.m. on Friday to prepare for the launch, then reopen at 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Hopefully, the extra hands will keep the line moving. Of course, you should also map out the closest restroom and dining amenities to your store.
• If you plan on buying the phone online from AT&T think again. According to Reuters, Apple will start selling the iPhone online on the 29th, but AT&T will first launch only in its stores.

Last but not least, on the day of the release be sure to take lots of photos from the line and with your new phone and share them with us! To learn how to post your photos in the Geeky Things I Love group, read more

At yesterday's WWDC in San Francisco Steve Jobs announced that the iPhone will be released on Friday, June 29 at 6pm at AT&T Wireless and Apple Stores in the United States.

That means, if you're not expecting to bribe an Apple or AT&T Wireless store employee you better take the day off, pack a lunch, water and some sunscreen, because there will likely be a much larger line than there was for last week's MacBook Pro release.

Phew. Now that I know exactly when I'll be getting my iPhone I guess I can stop being upset that animated Paris Hilton got her hands on the iPhone before I did.

Source

I got my hands on the new MacBook Pro first thing this morning and saying everyone around me is gushing and jealous is an understatement. Unlike last year's model, the new MacBook Pro has a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display. I am a little shocked to report that there seems to be a visible difference between the two displays, and it's not just due to the fact that my old laptop is covered in fingerprints and a bit of dust. The screen seems much brighter.

The new MacBook Pro's mercury-free status is a huge jump for Apple, who has been a consistent low ranker on Greenpeace's Electronics Guide and has taken some blows for not being as green as it can be. I'd write more, but I'm kinda busy obsessing over my new love.

For larger images from the official geeksugar MacBook unboxing as well as the line in front of the Apple Store, read more

There has been a whole lot of talk about the next wave of colorful Zune players and it seems the wait is nearly over. The new limited edition red Zune joins an existing line of brown, black, white and pink Zunes.

Zune allows users to wirelessly share songs, playlists, and photos. The 30 GB device stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 100 hours of video. It also features wireless Zune to Zune sharing, a 3-inch screen and a FM radio, which isn't always the case with MP3 players. It comes with some preloaded content, but the rest has to be purchased from the Zune marketplace.

The new red player will be available exclusively at Target and Amazon.com for thirty days beginning June 10th. After that promotional period you will be able to pick them up at any major retailer. It will cost around $220.

To check out additional images of the red Zune, read more

It's been months of speculation, excitement and at least two scandals involving a brilliant Cingular employee and then a leaked e-mail, but the release date for the iPhone has officially been set for June 29.

Coinciding with the announcement of the release date, Apple has premiered a series of TV ads showcasing all the features of the device, including how it allows you to flip through music and search Google maps.

For those of you who have been living on Mars, the iPhone will run on the Cingular network and use a mini version of OS X. The iPhone is 1.16 cm thick and has a 3.5" widescreen touchscreen display with multi-touch support, 4GB or 8GB of onboard RAM, Bluetooth, WiFi, and a 2 megapixel camera. Check out my coverage from the last few months for more information. To check out one of the new ads, read more

Last night at midnight Microsoft announced a new product, the Microsoft Surface, which is a multi-touch table that aims to change the way we interact with digital content. The table uses cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and touch. The user input is then processed and the result is displayed on the surface using rear projection. This gives the user complete control over the content - such as photos, music, and maps.

By the looks of it, the device combines all the elements of digital life into a snazzy, futuristic table that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie.

To see more images and to watch a video of how it works,  read more