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'Apple Store' iOS App Gains Support for Express Checkout, Advance Check-In for In-Store Pickup

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MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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30,831



Apple today rolled out an update for its Apple Store [App Store] app for iOS devices, adding two new features to enhance the functionality of the app.

The first feature is support for Express Checkout, which has been available through the regular online store but is now available through the app as well. With Express Checkout, a user placing an online order can bypass the shopping cart system and simply click the "Buy Now" button and enter his or her password to complete the order. The order will automatically use the default billing and shipping information associated with the account. A preference allows users to specify whether Express Checkout should default to shipping purchases, picking up purchases, or asking each time.

apple_store_app_express_checkout.jpg



The second new feature, which is only compatible with the iPhone 4S, allows users to alert Specialists at their local retail stores that they are arriving to pick up an order. Typically, users have had to find a Specialist upon arrival and wait for their orders to be collected, but with the new advance check-in system their orders can be ready the moment they walk in the door.

Article Link: 'Apple Store' iOS App Gains Support for Express Checkout, Advance Check-In for In-Store Pickup
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/06/13/apple-store-ios-app-gains-support-for-express-checkout-advance-check-in-for-in-store-pickup/
ArtOfWarfare

ArtOfWarfare

macrumors G3
Nov 26, 2007
9,560
6,059
MacRumors said:
The second new feature, which is only compatible with the iPhone 4S, allows users to alert Specialists at their local retail stores that they are arriving to pick up an order. Typically, users have had to find a Specialist upon arrival and wait for their orders to be collected, but with the new advance check-in system their orders can be ready the moment they walk in the door.
Click to expand...

Quoted for coolness.
 
Mwongozi

Mwongozi

macrumors member
Sep 17, 2007
54
43
Woodside, CA
which is only compatible with the iPhone 4S
Click to expand...

Usually I assume that Apple omit features from older iPhones only when the hardware is physically incapable of supporting that feature.

But with iOS 6's satnav feature being unavailable on the iPhone 4 (when the existing TomTom app works just fine) - and now this!

I think Apple are being a bit cynical here.
 
M

Mr.Mo

macrumors newbie
Feb 26, 2012
16
0
By using the Apple ID, does the app deduct money from your ITunes/ AppStore account if you have credit or does it only make a credit card transaction?
 
P

Prother

macrumors newbie
Feb 8, 2011
25
0
Mr.Mo said:
By using the Apple ID, does the app deduct money from your ITunes/ AppStore account if you have credit or does it only make a credit card transaction?
Click to expand...
iTunes accounts can't be used to purchase hardware.
 
B

Baumi

macrumors 6502
Mar 31, 2005
257
378
Mwongozi said:
Usually I assume that Apple omit features from older iPhones only when the hardware is physically incapable of supporting that feature.
Click to expand...

Just a wild guess: Could the function depend on the iPhone 4S's Bluetooth 4.0? At the very least this solution should drain far less power (AFAIK, I'm no engineer) than constant GPS updates or constant BT 3.0 polling to determine if you've entered the store.
 
B

bogatyr

macrumors 65816
Mar 13, 2012
1,127
1
BlueParadox said:
Completely agree. Why does the 4S have exclusivity for this function?! Is it a geotagging thing? Makes no sense...
Click to expand...

It uses the geofencing function to detect when you're within the store. The GPS icon is on the entire time.

Just keep in mind, the Apple store might not care if you reserve your spot in line with your phone, they might keep taking people walking in the door over you. That is what happened to me yesterday, waited 20 minutes to pick up an item that was "waiting" for me, App said I was next in line, no help from anyone. So I gave up and walked up to a store clerk/person and was out the door in less than a minute.
 
S

Soulweaponry

macrumors 6502
Mar 13, 2010
394
1
Nice little update, but i don't want every new piece of news i hear about updates have the "but it's exclusive to iPhone 4s" line. My fellow iPhone users on older hardware need stuff too

Update: Trying this out now. Just updated the app, enabled express checkout with geo-alerts and bought an appletv for pickup at my local store. Heading there now to see if it works. Apple store peoples better greet me at the door with my thing!
 
Last edited:
S

Soulweaponry

macrumors 6502
Mar 13, 2010
394
1
Just fyi: Ordered an appletv, got the first email a minute later, then the pickup email 10 minutes after that. Headed to the store and after i got out of my car, it popped up on my lock screen that my order was ready. Went into the mall and right before i got into the apple store i clicked that "i'm here" and when i walked in, an apple employee asked "Hey, are you marcus?". Wow. Didn't even have to look for anybody or wait anywhere. Solid

Only concern is, since i enabled express checkout, the location services symbol at the top is always on. Is this going to mess up my battery life? Eek
 
A

avanpelt

macrumors 68030
Jun 2, 2010
2,956
3,877
To echo what some others have said, on the heels of the iOS 6 announcement of what features won't be compatible with the iPhone 4, this new "advanced check-in" feature only working on the 4S is a crock. Unless they're going to eventually roll it out to all GPS enabled iDevices in the future and Apple is just using the 4S as a test bed.

Aside from the progressive roll out theory, it makes no sense for Apple not to enable this across all GPS enabled iDevices. If allowing the Apple Store app to be "geoaware" when I'm approaching an Apple Store is too intensive for the iPhone 4 to handle, I guess they'll also have to disable location-based reminders for the iPhone 4 in iOS 6.

Also, I hope they eventually let you use this feature when you're coming in for a Genius Bar appointment.
 
charlituna

charlituna

macrumors G3
Jun 11, 2008
9,636
816
Los Angeles, CA
ArtOfWarfare said:
Quoted for coolness.
Click to expand...

and unlikely to really go that way in reality. Sure it will alert them but the chances that they will be waiting at the door with it, not likely.

----------
Prother said:
iTunes accounts can't be used to purchase hardware.
Click to expand...

yes and no. the apple id you have to use would be your same iTunes. but you have to have a credit card on it and that's what is charged. not credits

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Soulweaponry said:
Only concern is, since i enabled express checkout, the location services symbol at the top is always on. Is this going to mess up my battery life? Eek
Click to expand...

typically if you go to the task bar and kill the app it kills the location services use as well

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avanpelt said:
Also, I hope they eventually let you use this feature when you're coming in for a Genius Bar appointment.
Click to expand...

you already can.
 
ghostlyorb

ghostlyorb

macrumors 6502a
Jan 9, 2010
920
0
Virginia, USA
jasonxneo said:
dam! what's with these iphone 4s exclusive features lately??? :confused:
Click to expand...

I'm getting quite annoyed, to be honest. But I'll be getting the new iPhone this fall, so I'll live. I really want to try out the beta of iOS 6... but since turn by turn isn't supported on the iPhone 4.. I don't feel like giving up my jailbreak.
 
J

JHankwitz

macrumors 68000
Oct 31, 2005
1,911
58
Wisconsin
Mwongozi said:
Usually I assume that Apple omit features from older iPhones only when the hardware is physically incapable of supporting that feature.

But with iOS 6's satnav feature being unavailable on the iPhone 4 (when the existing TomTom app works just fine) - and now this!

I think Apple are being a bit cynical here.
Click to expand...

Do you really technically know enough about the intricate operation of the iPhone to be making this call? I would guess that most iPhone engineers couldn't determine this.

----------
jasonxneo said:
dam! what's with these iphone 4s exclusive features lately??? :confused:
Click to expand...

It's called 'technical evolution'.

----------
bogatyr said:
It uses the geofencing function to detect when you're within the store. The GPS icon is on the entire time.

Just keep in mind, the Apple store might not care if you reserve your spot in line with your phone, they might keep taking people walking in the door over you. That is what happened to me yesterday, waited 20 minutes to pick up an item that was "waiting" for me, App said I was next in line, no help from anyone. So I gave up and walked up to a store clerk/person and was out the door in less than a minute.
Click to expand...

How else would thay know it's you if you don't physically let them know who you are?. Our local store is always so croweded that it usually takes 10 minutes to fight my way from the door to the bar.
 
Q

qipanhong

macrumors newbie
Jun 15, 2012
1
0
I'm getting quite annoyed, to be honest. But I'll be getting the new iPhone this fall, so I'll live


ir

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