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Life, loneliness and the iPhone 5S

Perth’s two Apple stores will be bursting at the seams today as customers flock to get their hands on the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C.

It’s been a busy week for Apple globally, with scores of iPhone users still coming to grips with the iOS 7 operating system update.

The release of new iPhone models inspires Apple fans and tech-heads to line up for hours at Apple stores across the country.

A new champion was crowned outside the city store yesterday, when Scott Schwartz, 18, claimed front-of-line honours at 2.30am.

It might have been a lonely celebration for Mr Schwartz, but it was his third attempt and the 29-hour wait earned him one of WA’s first new iPhones.

“The brand is just amazing. The experience is unrivalled in consumer electronics,” he said.

“I’ve always had a passion for technology and to get the latest and greatest is always a thrill.

“It’s just one of those things; you have to do it once. I beat everyone else this year.”

The next few people to arrive at the city store were familiar faces for Mr Schwartz, including ‘Trent,’ the multiple-time front-of-line champion.

Trent was gracious in defeat last night and there was an upbeat atmosphere among the regulars, despite the lack of sleep.

Many of the 20 people in the line at 9.30pm were carrying iPads or laptops and were not willing to fall asleep outside.

This morning, more Apple fans queued in the rain at the Apple store in Perth to be among the first to own the new iPhone 5s. Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian


Hot topics ahead of this morning’s 8am release included Apple’s new fingerprint security technology and M7 coprocessor for the iPhone 5S.

“I’m impressed by the M7 coprocessor, which is all to do with motion sensing,” Mr Schwartz said.

“With a lot of the appcessories that are coming out now, you’re getting things like fitness trackers - that kind of integration is just incredibly interesting.

“Having something that focuses on your fitness and wellbeing, it’s showing a bit of convergence with things you wouldn’t associate with technology.”

Scott Schwartz, 18, of Ballajura, queued for 29 hours outside the Apple store in Perth to be the first to buy the new iPhone 5S. Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian


Mr Schwartz, a student and part-time worker from Ballajura, was philosophical when asked about the iPhone’s impact on society.

“The immersive apps that we have, it’s just become part of our everyday life. You can walk into a store and you will have an app for that store,” he said.

“I think we are getting dumber because we’re relying so heavily on the information at our fingertips.

“We’re getting worse at communicating with each other, but the reality is, who’s going to stop us?”