COMPUTERS

Steve Jobs offers up a hot cup of joe for the poor slobs waiting in line already for iPhone 2.0.

Eager Fans Begin Camping Out For iPhone 2.0

NEW YORK (CAP) - It's official: iPhone2 mania is in full swing, despite the fact that Apple has yet to announce a second version of its popular gadget, let alone any plans to even create one. However, that hasn't stopped fans from lining up at Apple stores throughout the country.

"I don't even own an iPhone, but I know iPhone 2.0 is gonna be much more awesome," said 26-year-old Maurice Darkin, who has already been camped outside Apple's flagship Soho store in New York for two weeks. "I don't care what it takes, I'm gonna make sure I get one."

Although the first in line, Darkin is not the last. Over the past couple of weeks, others have strolled up to take their place in line, sleeping bag in hand, frenzied look of anxiety on their pudgy little faces. Most of them don't have jobs, and the few who do said they can bag groceries anywhere.

"Oh, I'm not worried," said 46-year-old Bruce Murphy from his spot half a dozen places behind Darkin. "As long as I still have my job in Second Life, then I'm doing okay. And mom said my room's not going anywhere."

Those in the various lines have been whiling away their time playing such games as Second Life or multi-player Minesweeper, thanks to a combination of WiFi hotspots and wireless ISP connections. Lines in different cities have even been communicating with each other via The Spork Chatroom.

"I missed out on iPhone1 because I was busy upgrading my early 50's equipment in World Of Warcraft with some level 60 stuff," said 38-year-old Drew Russet, first in line at the Apple store in San Francisco. "But now my tanking spec is awesome, so I'm ready to get the next iPhone, LOL."

The iPhone2 craze has proven to be a boon for professional line waiters who figure to be employed for quite some time, considering that any sort of second edition iPhone is nowhere near market. They say the toughest battle they face is trying to avoid being paid in Everquest Platinum pieces as opposed to real currency.