'Apple Store' App for iOS Updated to Support New Self-Checkout System for Retail Stores
In line with our report from the previous weekend, Apple has updated its Apple Store application for iOS [App Store] with new support for self-checkout at the company's retail stores.
What’s New in Version 2.0
- Personal Pickup: Buy in the app and choose to pick up your order at any Apple Retail Store. Most in-stock orders are available for pickup within an hour. (U.S. only)
- EasyPay: Purchase select accessories in store quickly by scanning the barcode and completing your transaction right in the app. (U.S. only, requires iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S)
- Track your stuff: View the status of current and previous orders from the order status section in the More tab.
- Additional international support (Canada, China).
As detailed last week, the app now allows customers visiting any Apple retail store to use their iPhone's camera to scan the barcodes of shelf-stocked accessory items and purchase them using their Apple ID/iTunes Store accounts. The process bypasses the need to track down a member of the sales staff to process the transaction via their EasyPay mobile payment processing systems.
As part of the retail store enhancements, Apple is also rolling out in-store pickup for online purchases in the United States, allowing users to have their online orders shipped directly to a retail store for pickup rather than having to arrange to receive delivery at their home or office. For items stocked in-store, users will be able to purchase items and have them available for pickup within minutes. For custom orders and other items not normally carried in-store, products will take several days to be shipped to the store, at which point the customer will be notified that their order is available for pickup.
The in-store pickup program launched in late October at Apple's three San Francisco stores, and quickly expanded to include all 51 California stores as well as the company's four New York City stores. With today's enhancements, the program has now been rolled out to all U.S. stores.
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Top Rated Comments
Irrelevant. All Apple Stores have free wi-fi so iPod touchs could complete purchase if the camera was good enough to scan the barcodes.
What makes you think they are going to have staff checking everyone's receipts now when they haven't ever done so before? For years you've been able to go into an Apple Store, pick up an accessory, pay for it anywhere on the sales floor you can find a staff member, get the receipt emailed to you and walk out of the store with your unbagged item and no physical receipt. This new system is no different except now you don't need to find a member of staff to pay. It's not as is anyone tracked you walking round the store to check if you paid; it was just as easy then to pick up something and walk out without paying as it will be now.
No, they don't. That technology exists, it's called NFC and it's just starting to gain traction in the US. Has to be built into the hardware.
This is simply an offered convenience for their customers who have recent iPhones and it ties into your iTunes Store account. The same way you can check in to genus appointments using the app.
They are not forcing you to use it and it's not like they won't sell you something if you don't have the app/phone.