iLine Up: Hundreds Flock to Mall for Latest Apple Gadget

If you didn't know it, you'd think it was Black Friday from the looks of things at Stoneridge Shopping Center this afternoon.

Hundreds of people lined up throughout the mall — texting, tweeting and talking to pass the time —  all hoping to get the latest version of the iPad.

"I got here at 8 this morning," said Joseph Cruz of San Leandro, who nabbed the first spot in line. 

Cruz got off work at 6 a.m. and came to the Apple store at the Pleasanton mall when it opened at 8 a.m. He said he'd been saving up for the first iPad when he heard the second was going to be released.

"I've been waiting months for this so I wanted to make sure I got the one that I wanted," added Cruz, referring to the various colors and models of the new device.

In the second spot was Alamo resident Nick Schapiro, who also arrived close to 8 a.m..

"It's ironic, because this is the same exact spot I got when I bought the first iPad," said Schapiro.

The two men said they had been fielding questions all day from shoppers who were curious as to why they were willing to wait.

"Some people have been congratulating us, though," said Cruz.

The Apple store closed at 3 p.m., and employees began passing out tickets. It reopened at 5 p.m. to start selling the devices.

"We've counted more than 300 people waiting in line," said one Apple employee. When asked if he thought everyone in line would get the new iPad, he said it was doubtful.

Cameron Liu and Heather Yang of Dublin got in line around 10 a.m., so they got tickets and didn't have to worry about getting the device they wanted. The two are eager to get the new version of the iPad because they said it's thinner and faster.

"We have loyalty, it's like we get one every year," said Liu, who stood in line using his first generation iPad to help pass the time.

"Last year he got one, and now I'm getting one," said Yang.

As to why they didn't just wait for a few more weeks, for the hype to subside, rather than waiting in line for hours? 

"You can't wait for gadgets," said Lui with a laugh.