[Creating this thread for benefit of others who will do a search about this topic]
Biometrics appointment update - July 15, 2014:
Just came from a successful walk-in at New York - Varick Street office. My original appointment was set for July 23.
It was a good tip to go in the afternoon, there were barely a handful of people in the place. I arrived at 1:30 pm. There was no queue for me, my prints and photo were taken as soon as I finished filling up their form (for the usual personal information). I was there maybe 10 minutes total.
Three (3) people checked my appointment letter, the last guy even drew a circle around the appointment date and time. No one questioned why I was there 1 week ahead of schedule.