Scuffles Disrupt iPhone 4S Release in Beijing

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iPhone fans in Beijing went home empty handed today... after scuffles broke out at the Apple store in the Chinese capital. The iPhone was supposed to launch nationwide in the Mainland today... and the move by Apple has left many frustrated.

China's Apple stores released the latest iPhone 4S on Friday, but the Beijing store launch was cancelled due to fears of chaos given the unruly crowd.

Shoppers and security staff scuffled before daybreak after an announcer with a bullhorn told the surging crowd that the phones would not go on sale and that they should go home.

Hundreds of enraged shoppers, many of whom had waited in line overnight, say they're disappointed with Apple's decision.

[Liu Tao, Waiting for an iPhone]:
"I have been waiting since 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon until 7 o'clock this morning. Apple has broken a lot of Chinese customers' hearts. I think Apple has been very unkind by doing so. Anyway, a lot of us will be very disappointed with Apple."

[Apple Customer]:
"I am suffering from cold and hunger. But now they won't sell (the iPhone 4S). Why?"

Some angry customers even pelted the Apple store with eggs, while others demanded an explanation.

[Sun Jiaqing, Waiting for an iPhone]:
"Apple China must give us a plausible explanation. We have been waiting for a very long time. Some of us came here one or two days ago while some of us traveled here from Tibet by plane. It's a long journey and a long time. So they need to give a reasonable explanation."

Directed by policemen, the crowds left the store by around 10 a.m. local time and the whole area has been cordoned off.

Apple representatives in China and the US did not immediately comment on the situation.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• NTD
• NTDTV
• China News
• iPhone 4s
• China
• iphone
• Apple store
• Beijing
• launch
• sale

[mykebulvai]

Look up fools. On the ledge 20 stories right above you - it's the suicidal queue of foxcon workers ready to take leap . Underpaid and overworked for mindless fanatics to get a boner over. 40 days of deluge, long overdue.

[kdrobb2k]

The Chinese are becoming Westernized. They are getting stupid over a gadget....for an iPhone yet. We are witnessing the beginning of the so called. rise and the downfall of the Chinese empire.

[Alloid182]

I'm suffering from cold and hunger made me laugh in some way! :D

[ceckardt1977]

How about that??? Can't imagine that sort of anxiety over the release of an android phone...

[mrblackmon27]

1st