Do People Really Need To Camp Out At The Store For A New Phone?

I don't really understand the whole need to wait in line for hours before the big event. Back in the 1980's, it was that toy the parents wanted to get heir kids for Christmas. When the big movie came out, they lined up over night to be the first to see it. Don't even get me started on the ridiculous "Black Friday" hysteria.

Another thing than gets them going is whenever Apple has a new gadget to sell. People suddenly feel the need to line up around the block for a chance to be the first to buy it. They have good company too. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has been known to wait in line with the people, despite the fact that he can get his delivered to him in person before anybody else gets one.

But, I really have to ask why it's so important to wait in line like this for a smart phone? Yeah, I get that they are mini computers, they play music, play videos, take pictures and movies, text and, amazingly enough, make phone calls too. That's wonderful, but doesn't their old phone do the same thing?

Is it really going to make a big difference if you just wait and get your phone without camping outside the store? It's still just a phone, and you probably already have the previous version. Unless it's broken, the immediate demand isn't there. Then again, that's not what this is about, is it?

This is about bragging about being one of the first to have the new phone. It's a status symbol. Everybody who's anybody has the new phone, right? Of course, this is all hype generated by Apple, but nobody wants to think about that. The new phone can do that one little thing the old phone couldn't, making the old phone a piece of junk now.

I wonder how people addicted to their smart phones would cope with life 30 years ago, long before these mini computers existed? You know, back before we were being tracked voluntarily through our phones. Oh well, the new iPhone is out, and people simply must have it. It's the best phone ever. Well, maybe it's the best until the next one comes out.