Apple iPhone 5 first day sales

That odd cultural phenomenon of geeks shamelessly engulfed in a retail love fest and sweaty urban camping experiment -- the line in front of Apple Stores for its latest gizmo -- is back again for the iPhone 5. The ritual gathering in front of stores worldwide was once again swelling in numbers as fans queued up at stores in the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore for the Friday sale. Fans were waiting -- some in tents -- to be first on the block with the latest from Apple. Eager buyers formed long lines at Apple stores in Australia and Japan. In Hong Kong, buyers had to sign up online for the chance to pick up the device at a preset time. According to the Associated Press, the first customers were greeted by staff cheering, clapping, chanting "iPhone 5! iPhone 5!" and high-fiving them as they were escorted through the front door.