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Houston Retail Store Grand Opening Hints at 8:00 AM iPad Launch on Friday
Earlier this month, we noted that Apple's forthcoming Highland Village retail store in Houston had seen its grand opening date moved up by a day in recent weeks, with Apple opting to open the store on Friday, March 16 rather than holding a traditional Saturday grand opening store. The change led to speculation that the new iPad might be launching on the new date, and Apple did indeed announce last week that the device will be available beginning on March 16.
Apple has yet to announce, however, what time it will begin in-store sales of the new iPad on Friday. The company has sometimes launched major new products first thing in the morning, with stores generally opening early for the events, but as in the case of the iPad 2 last year, the company has also occasionally launched products in late afternoon time slots.
But as noted by the Houston Chronicle, (via @tech513), Apple has now publicly announced that the new Highland Village store will be opening at 8:00 AM on Friday. Like the Friday date, an early grand opening is unusual for Apple's new retail stores, as they generally have their grand opening events at normal opening times, which in the case of the Highland Village store will be 10:00 AM. Consequently, it seems that the early opening may be tied to a launch of the new iPad, in which case Apple may be planning the debut for 8:00 AM local time at its other stores in launch countries.
Apple has said that demand for the new iPad is "off the charts", with the company's online stores in all launch countries now quoting shipping estimates of 2-3 weeks for new orders.
Apple has yet to announce, however, what time it will begin in-store sales of the new iPad on Friday. The company has sometimes launched major new products first thing in the morning, with stores generally opening early for the events, but as in the case of the iPad 2 last year, the company has also occasionally launched products in late afternoon time slots.
But as noted by the Houston Chronicle, (via @tech513), Apple has now publicly announced that the new Highland Village store will be opening at 8:00 AM on Friday. Like the Friday date, an early grand opening is unusual for Apple's new retail stores, as they generally have their grand opening events at normal opening times, which in the case of the Highland Village store will be 10:00 AM. Consequently, it seems that the early opening may be tied to a launch of the new iPad, in which case Apple may be planning the debut for 8:00 AM local time at its other stores in launch countries.
The store’s doors will open at 8 a.m. Friday, the same day that Apple’s third-generation iPad will go on sale. An Apple spokeswoman would not say whether all its stores will open at that time on Friday, but an early opening is typical when the company starts selling a new iPad or iPhone model.As noted by Slash Gear over the weekend, the first lines for the new iPad have already begun to form, with a pair of customers staking out their spots outside the Regent Street store in London.
Apple has said that demand for the new iPad is "off the charts", with the company's online stores in all launch countries now quoting shipping estimates of 2-3 weeks for new orders.
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39 months ago
All you people waiting in line prepare to get "samsunged" by some random asian guy! :eek::eek::D
39 months ago
I predict Samsung will be shooting some footage for it's next Galaxy Tab commercial. :D
39 months ago
Apple has said that demand for the new iPad is "off the charts" (http://www.macrumors.com/2012/03/12/new-ipad-demand-is-off-the-charts-with-initial-batch-sold-out/).
That's so Tim Cook.
Obviously Apple needs to buy bigger charts.
39 months ago
Anyone could have easily got one for Friday delivery by pre-ordering within 24 hours of the event, Apple didn't adjust delivery times until the next day, they obviously had plenty of stock ready to go.
Makes no sense to line up, just poor planners.
Makes no sense to line up, just poor planners.
39 months ago
Holy SH&T are you kidding me?! An 8am launch!? OMG this is HUGE!!!!!!!
Who cares.
Impressive sarcasm. Who was it that pressured you onto the Crap on People's Interests bandwagon?
39 months ago
Hmmm... a store full of 'new hires' dealing with a first day iPad mob.
Doesn't sound like fun. Maybe they should open Thursday to let them get their feet under them?
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Accompanied by a sound track of cricket chirping from their own product releases.
Most of the employees are transfers from the Apple stores in The Galleria and Memorial City Mall (maybe The Woodlands Mall too).
39 months ago
I sure wouldn't want to be trying to get an iPad from that store this Friday! All brand new employees + hundreds of customers all trying to buy iPads at one time = INSANITY!
39 months ago
Why can't they have the new iPad out for demo? It's their product and their store; No rules being broken. It's still not for sale until 5pm. (Under the hypothetical.)
It's not Apple's style to put out demos that you can't buy because of the artificial block of an on sale time.
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What time would that be in the UK?
It wil be the same time locally. So if it is 8am in the US it will be 8am local time everywhere else
39 months ago
I hope its an 8am Launch Time! I'll just wait in line the night before, get my new iPad come 8am, head back home, then off to Work at 10am! Works for me!!!
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