Final answer:
The first 2.5 percent of people who bought the iPhone and waited in lines before its release are categorized as Innovators, the earliest adopters of new technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The category of individuals who were among the first 2.5 percent to purchase the iPhone, eagerly waiting in long lines, can be classified as Innovators. This group is characterized by their willingness to take risks and adopt new technology ahead of other market segments.
The Evolutionary Model of Technological Change and the Technology Adoption Lifecycle, developed by Everett Rogers, support the analysis of these consumer behaviors and the emergence of new technology. Innovators leap onto the adoption curve, embracing new advancements before the Early Adopters, Early Majority, Late Majority, and Laggards. Their quick adoption plays a critical role in the diffusion of new technologies within society.