6 years ago
In the tech world, big things sometimes start small. That's certainly true for Apple Computer, which has seen its shares more than triple in value in the last year in part because of stunning sales of the tiny "iPOD" music player.
But what may surprise you is the intensity of Apple adoration among a growing cadre of devotees.
Bruce Leshan reporting
They insist they are not addicted, or a cult or anything like that. But Apple's core fans are committed.
Security was present to keep the crowds under control for this weekend's opening of a new Bethesda retail store. Endless home video was rolled on the crowds of people waiting all night for the grand opening of Apple's newest store.
By the time the doors opened six hundred people were lined up down the street and into the parking garage.
You might think people would line up to see Bono, or get a free IPOD or something, but all they received was a t-shirt.
Scott Webber of Potomac is such a big McIntosh enthusiast he has 50 or 60 of them in his attic and his garage.
He has been to three Apple store openings, but he's no where near the guy who's been to more than 50.
"The one in Tyson's, they had to get the police in for crowd control," Webber said.
The "Cult of Apple" may be due to a lot of things; the mischief of knowing it's not Microsoft. The ease of using Apple machines or the sleek design.
The now ubiquitous white earbuded iPOD music players have brought in millions of new worshipers to the Church of Apple.
It's hard to keep Apple lovers from sounding like a commercial. "It's kind of like a rock concert. People are excited about the digital lifestyle and what it [iPod] can do for them," Webber said.
The t-shirts that were given to the people who waited for the opening of the Apple store are worth some cash on e-bay now. One t-shirt from the London Apple store opening is selling for nearly $50.
To view Bruce Leshan's full report, click related video.
Written by Bruce Leshan
