China's iPad 2 Launch Turns Violent
Queuing up for the launch of a product you’ve been eagerly awaiting is usually a lot of fun. Among other things, you get to meet like-minded fans dedicated enough to camp out, rain or shine, just to get their hands on that new console, phone or game. Indeed, it’s that dedication that often catches the eye of the media. However, it seems the Chinese launch of a new Apple product is attracting attention for all the wrong reasons. Reports trickling in say that several customers queuing up at a Beijing Apple store had to be hospitalized after a bust-up with an Apple employee.
The details and timeline of what exactly went down are very hazy. In fact, reports regarding the incident are inconsistent as to what device these customers were even queuing for; both the white iPhone 4 and the iPad 2 recently launched in China and are in very high demand. The general gist of things is that hundreds of people queued up to buy one or the other and staff had to close the shop door as the crowd started to get a little out of hand. Though refusing everyone entry until some order can be restored seems like ‘Overexcited Queues 101,’ things apparently got a lot more dramatic than that.
At some point, a foreign Apple store employee is said to have gotten into an argument with several customers he believed had tried to cut in line. 9to5 Mac cites unverified witness statements that say he beat them with a metal club, while the AFP reports he is alleged to have "stepped into the crowd to push and beat" them. After the employee retreated back into the store, the big glass window in front was smashed by the angry crowd. Four people were hospitalized with injuries.
The Wall Street Journal cites Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu as saying the group "became unruly" and employees "acted to protect themselves and our customers by closing the doors and preventing the group from entering." However, so far, the company has offered no clarification as to what happened. The store closed for several hours on Saturday following the incident but was open for business again come Sunday morning. Shoppers seeking a white iPhone 4 now have to reserve a unit online before they can come into the store. 'Walk-in' iPad 2 purchases are still allowed.
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The capitalization of the Chinese people is now completed. Bwahahahahahahaha!
do they hire kung-fu masters to man their counters?
LOL +1 ^
Seems no different that people here in the States.....
Where was the "foreign Apple store employee" from?
Lol it was Jobs
Your selling it wrong!
Seems no different that people here in the States.....
ummmm sounds a lot worse than the States to be honest. But every country has its pro's and con's, so lets not be too judgmental.
Um have you never watched news. This stuff happens a lot. Although it's not usually the employee that picks up the bat. But mob mentality rules no matter what country you live in.
He was probably a closet PC user/Mac hater who bided his time until one day he had the opportunity to beat a bunch of Apple fanatics with a metal pole. I sympathise with this.
ummmm sounds a lot worse than the States to be honest. But every country has its pro's and con's, so lets not be too judgmental.
Well no one died in this situation so it's technically less dangerous than going to a wal-mart black friday sale in the USA
chickenhoagie 05/10/2011 5:46 AM
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AndrewMD :
Seems no different that people here in the States.....
ummmm sounds a lot worse than the States to be honest. But every country has its pro's and con's, so lets not be too judgmental.
How does this sound a lot worse than the States? Remember that crazed black friday stampede that trampled a walmart worker and KILLED HER? I think THAT's worse....
apple sux, it can't even play crysis.
Queue jumping in China is rampant. I've seen grown men and women from mainland China push past children at Hong Kong Disneyland to get on a Dumbo ride!!!
Your selling it wrong!
You're spelling it wrong!
do they hire kung-fu masters to man their counters?
"When you can snatch the nano from my hand, it will be time for you to upgrade..."
Quite intense. You'd think the rich in the Chinese society would at least learn some manners.
and everybody was kung fu fighting.....
and everybody was kung fu fighting.....
And they huddled for their iPods like lightening..
*lightning.
They may take our freedom, but they'll never take our iPads! Go China!
Beyond sheep following the shepherd. We're now talking stampedes. There's no thinking going on with these Apple people.
Brilliant marketing. Absolutely brilliant.
When the sales clerk asks you if you want some 'face time' the correct answer is "No, sir!"
I can't talk about others, but I really can't understand how come somebody with enough money to buy this item can stand in line for more than one hour to get it on the first day. It's not like the line will be always like the first day. It's not like they haven't been waiting at least a few weeks, what's one or two days more? It's not like having such device one day early will have improved benefits like one year of life more. Or is it? I mean, they will be showing off to their friends, won't they? I don't know what kind of marketing is able to change people from normal sheep into zombies like that.
and everybody was kung fu fighting.....
Lol it was Jobs
do they hire kung-fu masters to man their counters?
LOL
Mao would be proud, at first they were breaking down glass for bread, now they are breaking down glass for iphones! Progress!!!
I can't talk about others, but I really can't understand how come somebody with enough money to buy this item can stand in line for more than one hour to get it on the first day. It's not like the line will be always like the first day. It's not like they haven't been waiting at least a few weeks, what's one or two days more? It's not like having such device one day early will have improved benefits like one year of life more. Or is it? I mean, they will be showing off to their friends, won't they? I don't know what kind of marketing is able to change people from normal sheep into zombies like that.
Don't you question the gods, ... I mean Steve Jobs.
This may sound sick, but when people get hurt or die in situations like this I find it to be a more contemporary version of survival of the fittest. If your love for something so trivial puts you in harms way then it's darwinian fitness at that point. No consumer device or shopping opportunity is worth your safety. If you feel differently then go get trampled or hurt over a POS electronic device. In the meantime I'll be chillin safely, happy to wait my turn to get any consumer electronics. The early adopter mentality is ridiculous. Passion over the development of technology is commendable but irrational behavior to acquire it is just stupidity.
that is why I will survive when the zombie apocalypse comes. and some won't.
The capitalization of the Chinese people is now completed. Bwahahahahahahaha!
Indeed, look at em', the disgusting swine clenching for their crappy little electronic gizmos. It's fine examples like this that show who, what, and where we are at the end of the day; no need to pretend.
Did the fighting remind anyone of badly made KungFu movies?
ummmm sounds a lot worse than the States to be honest. But every country has its pro's and con's, so lets not be too judgmental.
No, some countries are definitely better than others. The official ranking is:
1. United States of America: The best of the best
2. United Kingdom: Because they gave birth to the USA
3. Australia: Because they speak English and have their own continent and are a good country to have when playing the board game Risk.
4. Everyone else
5 Canada
Note: Just kidding, Canada is awesome.
you think this is bad you should see the rice lines