Apple today shifted its messaging concerning Apple Watch try-on appointments, which were required in the early days following the wearable's launch to be able to interact with and size the various models of the Watch. The messaging of try-on appointments has now largely vanished from the Apple Watch's online storefront, with a notification encouraging customers to visit their local Apple Watch store for workshops on the device or "just walk in to try Apple Watch on."
In reality, walk-in customers have generally been able to arrange immediate try-on sessions for some time now as the crowds have significantly lessened following the initial surge. With Apple gearing up to begin in-store sales of the Apple Watch in just a few weeks, however, the company is already changing its customer guidance to omit the recommendation of making an appointment.
Even though the messaging is pivoting away from scheduled appointments, it should be noted that retail stores are still accepting try-on appointments for customers wanting to ensure their time with the Apple Watch. Try-on sessions may become a bit busier once in-store sales begin, so at that point appointments may become more advisable.
Monday November 10, 2025 1:08 pm PST by Juli Clover
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Apple silicon chip that replaced Intel chips in Apple's Mac lineup. The first Apple silicon chip, the M1, was unveiled on November 10, 2020. The M1 debuted in the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The M1 chip was impressive when it launched, featuring the "world's fastest CPU core" and industry-leading performance per watt, and it's only ...
Tuesday November 11, 2025 9:48 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta last week. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more.
In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date....
Monday November 10, 2025 1:55 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple will conceal the front-facing camera under the screen of its 2027 iPhone, a Chinese leaker said today, corroborating reports that Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone will have no visible cutouts in the display.
Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station said Apple's development of under-screen camera technology was progressing as planned for adoption in 2027, one year after it will...
Tuesday November 11, 2025 1:23 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple has teamed up with Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE to launch iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted limited edition accessory designed to carry an iPhone, AirPods, and other everyday items.
The accessory is like a stretchy pocket, not unlike an iPod Sock, but elongated to form a strap made of a ribbed, elastic textile that fully encloses an iPhone yet allows you to glimpse the display...
Monday November 10, 2025 11:41 am PST by Juli Clover
The thin, light iPhone Air sold so poorly that Apple has decided to delay the launch of the next-generation iPhone Air that was scheduled to come out alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, reports The Information.
Apple initially planned to release a new iPhone Air in fall 2026, but now that's not going to happen.
Since the iPhone Air launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales...
Apple is expected to announce a new HomePod mini imminently, headlining with new chips. Here are all of the new features we're expecting.
The second-generation HomePod mini is highly likely to contain a more up-to-date chip for more advanced computational audio and improved responsiveness. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip from 2019. Apple is likely ...
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
The future of Apple Fitness+ is "under review" amid a reorganization of the service, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple Fitness+ remains one of the company's "weakest digital offerings." The service apparently suffers from high churn and little revenue.
Nevertheless, Fitness+ has a small, loyal fanbase that...
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season.
Note: MacRumors is...
Thursday November 6, 2025 11:12 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store.
The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the U.S., according to its website. Maximum values for most devices either decreased or saw no change, but the iPad Air received a slight bump.
...
This was the most botched up launch ever done. I can't believe that Angela whatever her name is in charge of this has got away with no proper criticism of her handling. Absolute joke. She has no comprehension of the true apple customer. Making people come in to make an appointment to have to come back a second time to try it on and then buy. Everyone had already ordered the thing online. They didn't need extra staff on launch day as purchases were already made. She spoilt what could have been an exciting release and turned it into a confusing damp squid. And She's the highest paid whatever in the world. Joke ! She was brought in for her fashion connections but I doubt it would have been that hard to tap into the fashion world without her. Apple is a world renowned respected brand and would have played ball with or without her influence. Am so annoyed by the handling Of it all. Though I do respect tims ethos of bringing in new talent and expanding, however there is no question that this was a mistake.
I walked in on "launch day" and tried one on straight away. The employee I spoke to said "We've got to have lots of staff because it's a launch day, but we haven't had a crowd because you can't buy them in store."
Most of the staff were wondering around without much to do. People seemed as interested in the watch as any other product.
Which is why this launch was such a screwed up mess.
The people who were most excited about the Apple Watch and really wanted to try it on, were forced to order it online, as that was the only way to get one.
Therefore, most of those people had decided upon a watch, and didn't need to try it on.
The only people you got were people who only heard about the Apple Watch from media, walk-bys at the mall, and people who already purchased but were curious to see it in person.
There should have been a try-on period for 2 weeks before pre-orders started on April 24, with immediate shipping. THIS would have made sense.
It makes sense when you have people spending $17,000+ Edition wanting to buy a watch but then end up in the waiting line for someone to buy a $200 sports watch.
No it doesn't. When I walk into a Rolex boutique and want to look at a $20k watch I don't make an appointment. I walk in and that's that.
Appointments is not how the rest of high street operates.
I had the appointment for first thing on the non-launch date. I think Apple is still missing the whole point (or they are not and just simply trying to spin the story). People who walk in want to walk out with something in their hand (or on their wrist). I am very happy with my watch now that it has been delivered, but the whole experience of going in, only to be forced to order, only to be forced to wait over a month, seems like a complete failure no matter how much they try to spin.
How does someone just walk out with product when there isn't any in stock? Plus Apple said from day one it would initially be online only so anyone going to a store expecting to walk out with the Watch only has themselves to blame.
so what you are saying is that spin worked very well for you. okay. It did not work on me however.
Apple did not say it was online only on day 1. They admitted that they had no stock after pre-orders started and before launch date (which effectively made it a non-launch). And even then, so what. A customer expectation is always to go in buy something and walk out. Otherwise, I would stay at home and purchase on-line. It really is a bad thing that you can walk into a store but not actually have the option to buy something.
