I don't get it either. For no apparent reason, some 60-odd people have decided to line up at the 5th Avenue Apple Store in Manhattan. Some believe they are getting on line for the 3G iPhone, which isn't likely to be available for some four weeks. What the...?

Here's a round up of varying reports:

Engadget's Joshua Topolsky writes, "So word on the street (literally) is that a large number of people are queuing in line outside of Apple's flagship store on 5th Avenue in New York City -- keep in mind the Cube is open 24 hours a day. Our intrepid girl-on-the-scene reports that the group is more than 60-deep, though most people seem confused about what they're waiting for, but some believe they're actually camping out for a 3G iPhone. Meanwhile, Apple reps tell us they're crowd-controlling iPhone buyers because otherwise they would be 'screaming' at employees and clogging up the store. See what happens when you get short on stock?"

Joshua Karp over at The Boy Genius says, "We love our gadgets as much, if not more, than the next guy, but this has to be one of the most ridiculous things we've seen in quite some time. There's currently a massive line forming in front of the 5th Avenue Flagship Apple Store. According to reports on the ground, the crowd is forming in anticipation of the new 2nd Generation iPhone launch. Cool, but aren't you guys a bit early? Yeah. We thought so. While the 3G iPhone is certainly coming soon, there's nothing whatsoever to indicate that today is the drop date. Sure, Apple might drop a huge surprise on us, but we're guessing that the 60-some-odd folks in line are either casualties of a successful prank, foreigners looking for a 'true American experience,' or just plain confused. Sheep mentality is a funny thing, folks."

Lastly, The Unofficial Apple Weblog's Chris Ullrich chimes in with, "In what must come as somewhat, yet not completely, surprising news, it seems people are already starting to line up at Apple's flagship 5th Avenue store in New York for the next version of the iPhone -- supposedly being announced on June 9th. According to our friends at Engadget Mobile, the line is already about 60 people deep, but some waiting seemed confused as to what they were actually waiting for -- although others did think they were in line for the new iPhone 2.0.

Could this line actually be for the latest and greatest version of the iPhone? Or, is this just some tragic case of miscommunication? Maybe they think they can get their hands on one of those iPhone refurbs? Or, perhaps the employees at that particular store are bored and just in the mood to mess with customers?

Whatever the answer, if this is actually an indication of the fervor iPhone 2.0 is going to generate, maybe I should start thinking about when and where to line up so I can get mine?"

All I can say to the whole phenomenon is, "Wha?"