One MacTalk.com.au forum goer, Jack112006, posted detailed impressions of the new Apple Retail store changes:
As I was purchasing an iMac today, I spent quite a while talking to a few different staff members about the changes. To them, having the iPads as product info stands was nice, but the real change to them caused by the iPads is the queue system they introduce. Now, instead of having to wait around to find a free Specialist, all you have to do is request a Specialist from an iPad at the table you are at and they will be over as soon as they can be. It even tells you what place in the queue you are.
This queue system is an improvement over the current system in which customers had to fend for themselves looking for a free specialist. One concern by the retail staff was if customers might get frustrated and leave if they find themselves at the end of a long queue.
The posting also confirms something else we'd heard -- that the display iPads use a special ultra-thin tape-like ribbon cable that does connect into the iPad's dock connector to provide charging as well as an alarm in case of removal. As reported, the home button is non-functional on the display units, to prevent people from exiting out of the interactive demo software.
The overall feel of the store is said to be changed as about 35% of the store is devoted to setup and is described as a "much more community-centered space, contrary to the showroom feel of before."
Finally, Apple slipped a special inspirational note in with the documents to Apple retail employees.
The inspirational message misses the most valuable asset to Apple. The Apple Staff who run these stores are most incredible. When I've had to wait for an appointment or simply waited a few minutes to process a purchase, I have stood in awe of the incredible team working the Apple Stores. I am always so impressed by the compassion, excitement, and willingness to seek answers even if they don't know the answer themselves. Kudos to all those who work the front lines, I am very impressed.
This story, this whole gimmick, this non-event makes no real sense to me.
Gimmick non-event? It was never intended to be an event. It was an internal initiative. The Mac rumor mill churned this into something it never was.
It's pretty basic. Want info on a product? Here's an interactive display giving you info. Want to compare models? You can easily do that, too. Have further questions? An Apple Store employee will come to you. This is a no-brainer way to run a technology store.
If you've ever been to any of Apple's NYC stores (especially 5th Ave.) they're a nightmare. This seems to have the ability to manage the chaos.
Sorry, but this is kind of lame. It also looks disorganized and seems like overkill.
BTW: I was in the Apple Store in Charlotte a couple month ago and it took almost 15-20 minutes to just get checked out. Plus, everyone had a snooty and pompous attitude. How about we do something about that Steve?
I imagine this is precisely trying to address the problem of getting paying customers in and out of the store.
Friday February 3, 2023 1:13 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple released iOS 16.3 in late January following nearly six weeks of beta testing. The software update is available for the iPhone 8 and newer, and while it is a relatively minor update, it still includes a handful of new features, changes, and bug fixes.
Below, we've recapped new features in iOS 16.3, including support for physical security keys as a two-factor authentication option for...
Saturday February 4, 2023 10:05 am PST by Eric Slivka
Online retailer TigerDirect has slashed pricing on the M1 iPad Air in several colors, offering the base 64GB configuration for just $313.99 in Purple and Pink.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with TigerDirect. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
That's a savings of 48% compared to Apple's normal $599.00...
Apple's next device with an Apple silicon chip may not be a Mac or an iPad, but rather an advanced external display, according to recent reports.
The display, which is rumored to arrive this year, is expected to sit somewhere between the $1,599 Studio Display and the $4,999 Pro Display XDR – but more exact information about the device's positioning and price point is as yet unknown. While ...
Sunday February 5, 2023 6:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has discussed selling a new top-of-the-line iPhone alongside the Pro and Pro Max models in 2024 at the earliest, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this timeframe, the device would be part of the iPhone 16 lineup or later.
In a September 2022 edition of his weekly "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said there was "potential" for an iPhone 15 Ultra to replace the iPhone 15 Pro...
Thursday February 2, 2023 7:57 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple's VP of hardware engineering Matthew Costello and product marketing employee Alice Chan recently spoke with Men's Journal and TechCrunch about the new second-generation HomePod in wide-ranging interviews about the smart speaker.
Apple discontinued the original full-size HomePod in March 2021 after multiple reports indicated that sales of the speaker were lackluster, but Chan told Men's ...
Google's Chromium developers are working on an experimental web browser for iOS that would break Apple's browser engine restrictions, The Register reports.
The experimental browser, which is being actively pursued by developers, uses Google's Blink engine. Yet if Google attempted to release it on the App Store, it would not pass Apple's App Review process.
Apple's App Store rules dictate...
Thursday February 2, 2023 6:41 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple appears to be preparing an iOS 16.3.1 update for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software in our website's analytics logs this week. It's unclear when the update will be released, but it will likely be available at some point in February.
The same logs have accurately foreshadowed the release of several previous updates, including iOS 16.0.3 and iOS 16.1.1 most recently, so they...
Friday February 3, 2023 1:28 pm PST by Juli Clover
Today is the official launch day for the second-generation HomePod that was introduced in January, and we picked one up to compare it to the original HomePod that Apple discontinued in 2021.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Design wise, the second-generation HomePod looks a lot like the first-generation model, featuring the same rounded design and acoustic mesh...
Apple on January 23 released iOS 16.3, delivering support for Security Keys for Apple IDs, changes to Emergency SOS functionality, support for the second-generation HomePod, and more.
Top Rated Comments
It matters. The retail experience is part of what made Apple into the industry giant it is today.
The inspirational message misses the most valuable asset to Apple. The Apple Staff who run these stores are most incredible. When I've had to wait for an appointment or simply waited a few minutes to process a purchase, I have stood in awe of the incredible team working the Apple Stores. I am always so impressed by the compassion, excitement, and willingness to seek answers even if they don't know the answer themselves. Kudos to all those who work the front lines, I am very impressed.
It's pretty basic. Want info on a product? Here's an interactive display giving you info. Want to compare models? You can easily do that, too. Have further questions? An Apple Store employee will come to you. This is a no-brainer way to run a technology store.
If you've ever been to any of Apple's NYC stores (especially 5th Ave.) they're a nightmare. This seems to have the ability to manage the chaos.
I imagine this is precisely trying to address the problem of getting paying customers in and out of the store.
I'm heartbroken. Really.