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Woz leads charge at iPhone's Apple Store Valley Fair debut (photos)

iPhone hopefuls at Santa Clara's official Apple retail store were treated to a unique appearance by the company's co-creator, who both led the queue and provided a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity.

True to his word, Apple's Steve Wozniak on Friday night was first in line when the Valley Fair outlet opened at 6PM — choosing to stand in line for hours and buy the iPhone himself rather than wait for the free phone that fellow Apple founder Steve Jobs had promised to deliver on Saturday.

The lineup was for him a "celebration" that merited a visit, regardless of his company privileges. "I love to see the future early," he had said in advance of the release. To him, the phone was to be one of the first truly "human" phones meant for everyday users.

Understandably, the very earliest of Apple employees was greeted with a warm reception by both the store's employees and those who had arrived later to wait for the phone. But while he was treated as a VIP and had helped distribute fan-made T-shirts commemorating the event, Woz was evidently comfortable with the proceedings, mixing with the crowd instead of making the hasty exit associated with a celebrity.

Woz was also mindful of the retail stores' two-phone limit and walked out of the store with no more than those who followed afterwards, despite his ultimate intent to buy phones for all three of his children as soon as possible.

Woz at Valley Fair
Woz at Valley Fair
Woz at Valley Fair
Woz at Valley Fair
Woz at Valley Fair
Woz at Valley Fair
Woz at Valley Fair
Woz at Valley Fair
Woz at Valley Fair



20 Comments

SpamSandwich 20 Years · 32917 comments

That has to be a very gratifying experience.

Woz's baby is all grows up!

mattrebs 18 Years · 70 comments

Woz (the other steve), seems like such a down to earth guy.

BTW, iWoz was a great book.

melgross 21 Years · 33636 comments

I'm just surprised that he wasn't one of the very first people after Jobs to get one, at least a month ago.

Wow. He's put on a lot of weight.

josa92 19 Years · 186 comments

those pictures are really great. I wonder what type of camera they were taken with?

and that's so cool to see your company so popular. wow.

trevorlsciact 19 Years · 215 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by melgross

Wow. He's put on a lot of weight.

He's always been larger, and now he's old; so naturally he would. So has Steve (Jobs), but he has never been as heavy as Woz.