They Call It A Brand

In contrast to privacy and civil rights, US consumerism continues to be healthy. Friday saw the opening of a 20,000 sq. ft. Apple Store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The entrance is a remarkable glass cube, which you enter to descend down to the underground store. Here’s a short video of the countdown to opening, following the very first customer as he moves through security, shakes the hand of Steve Jobs, and walks down the staircase to raucous applause. You can watch time-lapse photos of the first 24 hours outside – the place was packed at midnight. Here’s an interview with Steve Jobs working the media.