Why Steve Wozniak Waited In Line Overnight For New Apple Products

A few years ago, if you were waiting overnight outside an Apple Store ahead of a new product launch, you just might have found Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak sitting next to you on the sidewalk. This wasn't a marketing stunt by Apple. Wozniak really enjoyed being part of an Apple event with other fans. In an interview with Business Insider, Wozniak compared the night before an Apple release to waiting in line for concert tickets, which he often did when he was younger. Sure, as an Apple co-founder he could have probably pulled strings to get the new iPhone, but he says he's "just not a favor asker."
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Following is the transcript of the video:
Of all the Apple products that had lines — the earlier iPhones, the earlier iPads, yes I always waited in line overnight. Something inspiring in me, something said, “This is a big, important deal.”
I want to be a part of it, just like you want to be a part of a huge festival, you know Coachella maybe. This is going to be an inspiring, great time in my life. That’s how I thought about it, it was just like waiting overnight to get tickets to an important concert.
The earliest I've gotten in line for an Apple product is generally, close to 24 hours in advance. Coming by maybe in the morning to noon time and then sitting out all night long till the store opens at whatever 8 in the morning. When I'm waiting in line for products, of course I'm very anxious inside and I feel all the adrenaline flowing.
But I still have to keep up with my email coming in on my computer. Usually I'm sitting in a chair on my computer watching the new Apple product being opened in New Zealand. And then I'm watching it in Australia. Then I'm watching eventually in Tokyo and then London.
And by the time it gets to California 17 hours later, it's sort of like the whole thing already happened. The glamour of being first already happened.
I don't really do it anymore. Pretty much just know the products are coming out and they're not going to be available on day one, especially the version I want. So I just order it online and accept it. I got a lot more patient now.
As an Apple founder I wouldn't try to get one that way, because before Apple, I had my own philosophical code. I try to be like normal people, do it the same way everyone else does.
Get in line, buy it, pay full price. I'm sure I could probably ask and get some favors, but I'm just not a favor asker. There were times — like the first iPhone, Steve Jobs actually sent me one. And there were other computers he would send me one, but not asked for.
I buy most of the important Apple products because technology is my excitement in life, you know, just like movies and popular culture.
These are all things, oh my gosh I want to be a part of it. Would you miss the next “Star Wars” movie? You know, some people wouldn't miss it. It’s that deep a part of their life.