Smoke and Mirrors

It’s getting toward fall. Out here in Stow, that means one thing: Apples. Every weekend from now until late October, the world descends on the local apple orchards. At some apple places, the lines can stretch a mile down the road.

That, of course, got me thinking about another kind of Apple. I didn’t really pay attention when they announced that the 5C would be available for pre-order starting today, but the 5S would not be. Both phones will be released on 20 September.

In the past, Apple always made the new phone available for pre-order and guaranteed (assuming you ordered quickly enough) that it would arrive at your door on Release Day. Now, if you want a 5S on Release Day, you have to get on line.

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen long lines for Apple products. I’m sure it’ll make a nice visual and generate some serious media coverage.

But it makes me wonder why they need to create such an illusion of popularity. Smoke and mirrors anyone?

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