It looks long, but this year's line only stretched out about half a block.

Please, continue walking with me up the block...

...As we approach the front of the line...

...And run into the very first person in line! This is Robert Thompson, a resident of San Francisco. He told me he had been in line since 4:30PM on Thursday.

He spent the night outside and the Apple Store employees were kind enough to keep his things stashed inside the store so he could have a stress-free iPhone 4S buying experience. Mr. Thompson also told me his first Mac was an Apple IIs.

Only a true blue Apple fan would spend the night out in downtown San Francisco.

I'm a biased dog person. I often fill up the Mac|Life family camera with photos of dogs. And this event is no exception.

Look! Another dog! This fella has been here for every iPhone/iPad launch I've covered since the 3GS.

The perks of waiting in line: the Apple Store usually hooks you up with breakfast from neighboring cafes.

The downtown San Francisco Apple Store at dawn.

Window dressings.

Around 7:50AM they opened the doors, but it was not for iPhone 4S customers.

But then the Apple Store employees began crowding around...

...And counting down from the steps inside...

And that's when they opened the doors to let Robert Thompson in to purchase his iPhone 4S.

One of the first units to make it out of the store.

Happy, joyous iPhone 4S customers.

Oh, look! Another dog.

Inside, there was plenty of commotion. Each customer in line had their own Apple Store employee attending to them to set up their new iPhone.

Some customers purchased more than just one unit.

The iPhone 4S display inside the downtown San Francisco Apple Store.

A launch well done.