iPhone Duo Brings Back Apple Store Lines Amid Heavy Demand

Queues formed at Apple Stores in multiple countries on the day iPhone Duo went on sale. Photos and comments shared on MacRumors Forums and social media showed some customers arriving a day or two before launch.

Lines ranged from dozens to hundreds of people. Apple said walk-in availability would be limited in the United States and select other countries, while warning that inventory could sell out quickly because of extraordinary pre-order demand.

Walk-in launch inventory

Some stores have already sold through their launch-day stock. Availability therefore varies by location.

Apple Store pickup briefly appeared when iPhone Duo pre-orders opened last Friday, but the option has since been unavailable. In most countries, Apple’s online store directed customers to check again on Saturday, October 24; it did not provide an exact time for reservations to resume.

Apple executives visit stores

Apple CEO John Ternus and retail chief Deirdre O’Brien visited Apple Domain NORTHSIDE in Austin, Texas. Marketing chief Greg Joswiak and vice president of retail stores Vanessa Trigub greeted customers at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York City.

The report also notes that Austin is hosting the U.S. Grand Prix this weekend and that Apple TV is Formula 1’s exclusive U.S. streaming partner. It presents the connection between the race and the Austin store visit as a possibility, not a confirmed reason.