Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Details and Impressions on Apple's Retail Changes

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,481
30,715






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.
Click to expand...
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.






Article Link: Details and Impressions on Apple's Retail Changes
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/05/22/details-and-impressions-on-apples-retail-changes/
Warbrain

Warbrain

macrumors 603
Jun 28, 2004
5,702
293
Chicago, IL
It'll be nice to have that queue for the specialists. I've walked out of the store numerous times because I can't stand waiting around for someone who is available. I try to avoid the stores just because of that.

But hey, big change there, bet nothing really changes on the consumer side. The store will still be dominated by people stopping in to use the computers, annoying kids running around, and parents with massive strollers blocking the products I want to look at and buy.

EvanLugh said:
so does that mean something new tomorrow? i'm confused :confused:
Click to expand...

No.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
P

PJMAN2952

macrumors regular
May 22, 2011
133
0
APPLE store 2.0

So does this change happened at the APPLE store in the Lehigh Valley Mall in PA?
 
1

1083296

Suspended
Jun 11, 2010
61
4
No one cares about this rubbish....

bring out mobileme revamp and cloud itunes already!!!
 
Warbrain

Warbrain

macrumors 603
Jun 28, 2004
5,702
293
Chicago, IL
DisMyMac said:
Hope for new product this Tuesday... MacBook or Mini perhaps.
Click to expand...

Likely isn't coming. The necessary hardware updates have been made before WWDC and the summer. Wouldn't surprise me if you don't see updates to the line over summer.

Then again, I could be wrong.
 
Blakeco123

Blakeco123

macrumors regular
Jun 17, 2010
223
0
ya! A waiting list. thats one thing i always really liked about the genius bar, and im happy there moving it to the rest of the store. im not be sarcastic.
 
Warbrain

Warbrain

macrumors 603
Jun 28, 2004
5,702
293
Chicago, IL
EvanLugh said:
what happened to those gigs of data that was rumoured to be Lion?
Click to expand...

It wasn't. Plain and simple.

Odds are it was new images for the Macs, iPads, and iPhones. Why anyone would even think that it would be Lion when that's not expected to be released until late summer...
 
EvanLugh

EvanLugh

macrumors 68000
Aug 29, 2007
1,929
2
Developer land
Warbrain said:
It wasn't. Plain and simple.

Odds are it was new images for the Macs, iPads, and iPhones. Why anyone would even think that it would be Lion when that's not expected to be released until late summer...
Click to expand...

hang on, i was merely referring to what was believed to be Lion - i did gather that it wasn't Lion, just wondering exactly what it was (and you clearly understood what i meant)
 
ArtOfWarfare

ArtOfWarfare

macrumors G3
Nov 26, 2007
9,558
6,058
Sounds like great changes.

I agree finding a free specialist sucked previously, the queue system should work well.

The message kind of reminds me of the whole "Here's to the crazy ones..." - I really like them. They belong on T-Shirts.
 
iDisk

iDisk

macrumors 6502a
Jan 2, 2010
825
0
Menlo Park, CA
aramosc said:
I feel you! Make MobileMe free!
Click to expand...

That's not a good idea ( A Free MobileMe) Apple just needs to enhance it more so that us paying customers can take advantage of what it has to offer.

If MobileMe became free, it will turn into the sub-par gmail, hotmail, aol etc...

A Free Mobile Me, will not help Apple.... Apple knows people will pay a premium for features so they need to update MobileMe to keep it yearly price attractive.
 
ECUpirate44

ECUpirate44

macrumors 603
Mar 22, 2010
5,750
8
NC
Was at an Apple store this morning and the entire atmosphere seemed different. As said in the article, it feels much more like a community rather than a showroom. I saw some kid playing with the demo iPad in the Mac section. After a few min I realized the idiot was putting it into DFU mode... Idk why considering that the iPad2 cant be jailbroken, but I thought that couldn't be done with the demo units?
 
B

billystlyes

macrumors 6502a
Jul 5, 2004
569
6
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?
 
D

DrumApple

macrumors 6502a
Jan 30, 2009
546
1,417
Looking at the pics, it looks like a bloody mess of wires, eww. And a queue system? What is this a deli counter? Won't go over well.
 
e-coli

e-coli

macrumors 68000
Jul 27, 2002
1,935
1,149
iDisk said:
If MobileMe became free, it will turn into the sub-par gmail, hotmail, aol etc...
Click to expand...

It's already sub-par. At best it's the status quo. It's been a buggy flop since it launched. Even the most ardent of Mac fans will admit MobileMe is overpriced crap. Give me one thing MobileMe does that Google doesn't offer for free.

(Not really the point of this thread)

I like the iPad mini kiosk idea. Actually I think it's great. Ultimately it will drive iPad sales too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom