Apple Launches 'Today at Apple' Classes Around the World

[44267547]

Not exactly the best place to post a sarcastic comment. I think it went past some people's understanding.
Lessons that teach people how to get more uses out of their purchased devices sounds like a good use of resources. The more they appreciate what they bought, the less likely they will feel a need to replace it for superficial new features. I see this as a way to get people to buy less frequently and reduce their negative impact on the environment.
I regularly check the www.macmost.com tutorials for several years. He often has tips that i either forgot about, or did not know about. I have not noticed ads intrude into the tutorials.

You couldn't have been more wrong from how you completely misinterpreted my post. I didn't go past anybody's understanding. I have no idea what you're talking about. I was NOT being sarcastic and I was legitimately being serious that I would actually participate in one of the tutorials offered from Apple in photography.

Again, I think it be a benefit for someone like myself who wants to expand and utilize my iPhone 7 Plus.

 

[avanpelt]

Apple trying to sell more products. Oh the horror. Btw, there might be people who already have an iPad Pro and pencil but aren't great drawers (you can use the pencil for other things) that would be interested in a class like this.

The Apple Store is such a bizarre place to go learn how to draw, though. Is it primarily an art class or a class about showing you technological tools you can use to create digital art? Is it taught by someone with an artistic background, a technology background, or both? The class description doesn't say one way or the other.

Maybe Angela will prove the naysayers wrong...who knows? It's clear they've put some money into this idea of making the Apple Store a "gathering place". If it doesn't pan out, they'll still have plenty of cash in the bank.
[doublepost=1494968202][/doublepost]They really should have some other coding classes besides "Kids Hour: Sphero Maze Challenge".

I would love to learn the core fundamentals of building an iOS app. Apple seems like a logical place to go to learn about that. If someone took what they learned in a class like that and turned it into a successful app, it would benefit both the developer and Apple. Teaching people new skills so they can go to work and make you more money -- now that's a smart idea, Apple!

 

[jasonklee]

Doc: Don't worry. I studied medicine at the finest Apple retail store.

Me: Oh, **** **** **** **** **** **** ****.

Well, I've heard it's worth paying extra for AppleCare.

 

[a.gomez]

well, only advice they should give on learning to draw on an iPad is "do not". This is like giving tips on designing on PageMaker. Why waste time learning digital art on something the industry does not give a crap about.

 

[caskin8a]

This raises a lot of questions about Apple's position in the market. They seem to be continuing to milk this 'creative' piece out of iPhones and iPads which we all know is next to useless outside small tasks. The industries involved all roll their eyes at this sort of thing.

Why? Is it just pumping sales and margins?

I think Apple needs to be careful how much it panders to this consumer market - Surface machines are growing in perception as something you actually do work on. Be careful that doesn't erode more into the MacBook Pro space.

 

[sinsin07]

You couldn't have been more wrong from how you completely misinterpreted my post. I didn't go past anybody's understanding. I have no idea what you're talking about. I was NOT being sarcastic and I was legitimately being serious that I would actually participate in one of the tutorials offered from Apple in photography.

Again, I think it be a benefit for someone like myself who wants to expand and utilize my iPhone 7 Plus.

Don't worry. Your original post did not come across as sarcastic in the least.
You were understood completely.
Not sure what the other poster is rambling about.
Maybe they quoted the wrong poster.

 

[maccingandsnacking]

....at a store? You're saying that you want to learn how to be a doctor or lawyer...from a retail store?

This is the standard that Apple are now held to. It's too easy to be negative, let's be hones these classes are a great idea. It's socially beneficial and if they sell some extra iPads / accessories good luck to them.

 

[johngordon]

In seeing this article pop up, I was instantly reminded of that interview Angela did recently with that over-the-top excitement in her voice, saying that she wanted "Gen Z" people to say, "Meet me at Apple! Did you see what's going on at Apple today?!" Ugh.

Also, "How to Sketch, Draw, and Paint with iPad"? Trying to sell more iPad Pros and Apple Pencils, I guess...

I know! Its almost like they're a business or something!

I guess if they're going to try to sell more of their products, then stuff like this where customers can get something out of it is still good thing though.

 

[Brookzy]

It all looks so fabulous doesn't it.

Except that not all of their "guests" are paid.

I met an artist (who shall remain nameless) at a London store at what was basically practice for these new "Today at Apple" events a couple of months back. He wasn't paid to be there for several hours over multiple days.

I noticed he was using (very obviously in the open) a totally smashed up iPhone 6 and asked if perhaps a manager had offered to repair the screen considering he was there for free.

Nope. Course they hadn't.

 

[anObserverHasNoName]

Also, "How to Sketch, Draw, and Paint with iPad"? Trying to sell more iPad Pros and Apple Pencils, I guess...

That's one way of looking at it, since they are a for-profit company. For others like myself, it's an opportunity diiscover more to do with my iPad than just to do normal stuff when my phone is not within arms-reach.

 

[Zirel]

Also, "How to Sketch, Draw, and Paint with iPad"? Trying to sell more iPad Pros and Apple Pencils, I guess...

Whoa! They are trying to sell stuff that pays for all the fairy dust? THE BASTARDS!!!

Next, you are telling me there's money involved!

 

[btrach144]

Hopefully the classes are before the store opens.

 

[BigJohno]

Great idea! However, looks they will teach you nothing about your new mac because it's all iOS devices...

 

[Seoras]

There was a paper published in the Harvard Business review (July-Aug 1998) by Pine & Gilmore called "Welcome the experience economy".
The subtitle at the top of the paper reads:
"As goods and services become commoditized the customer experiences companies create will matter most."

I've read it several times and based my MBA thesis on it.
Apple ticks every box in this paper and is the only tech company who has, so far, moved to this next level in progression of economic value. Their earnings and share price underline that.

Google, MS and the others are still stuck in a 90's mindset (of products & services).

 

[joueboy]

Prepare to be embarrassed if you go there and didn't have the latest Apple product. For example you go there and learn how to draw. Apple wants you to have the iPad Pro and Pencil. They'll not entertain you if you have Windows to learn to program. That's the whole idea of this program. It's interesting and fun and you can only do that with new Apple products like portrait photography with phone. The catch is eventually they'll want you to buy their product to enjoy it.

 

[moxxham]

Even more pretentious is teaching useless skills like art. I'd be okay if they taught actual useful skills like being a doctor or lawyer or engineer.

You do realise that pretty much every product, store, car and building etc on the planet is made by someone who draws, right? It's an incredible valuable skill that not a lot of people have. I think these classes are a great idea.

 

[adamjackson]

Didn't Apple Stores already have workshops and a Theatre and specialists / Pros would show customers how to do stuff with Apple products?

 

[JuicyMatoosey]

The whole thing feels a bit cheesy to me, and my stores are no exception to being overcrowded with gawkers anyway. Maybe better if they held these events outside or at a larger venue that wasn't the store, they could still sell you a pencil or whatever, more discreetly, on-site.

 

[Jakexb]

I want this to work, but feels like a catch 22.

I could see people in exceptionally boring places going to activities at the Apple store, but exceptionally boring places don't have Apple stores big enough to have these activities.

NYC Soho store has really awesome events in their theater though. I've seen a decent number of famous people speak there. I guess that's not exactly replicable.

 

[ranjankp]

Even more pretentious is teaching useless skills like art. I'd be okay if they taught actual useful skills like being a doctor or lawyer or engineer.

"useless skills like art" the next time you comment on this post think for a moment, what the made the computer looks like a computer, what made the web page looks like this. it is design+art+engineering. every object you interact with on a daily life is made by designers+artists+engineers. the bed you sleep, the shoe you wear, the glass you hold. the house you live even the fork and plate and the spoon you use eat. they didn't just grew from the soil the way it is now. Please open your eyes.

 

[44267547]

Prepare to be embarrassed if you go there and didn't have the latest Apple product. For example you go there and learn how to draw. Apple wants you to have the iPad Pro and Pencil. They'll not entertain you if you have Windows to learn to program. That's the whole idea of this program. It's interesting and fun and you can only do that with new Apple products like portrait photography with phone. The catch is eventually they'll want you to buy their product to enjoy it.

Don't you think this seems blatantly obvious that anybody taking a course or tutorial, would want to have the actual product that they are demonstrating for the sake Of learning how to use it?

That's like taking a specific college course and not having the specific textbook for that course. One would naturally think they have the product that would match the course that you were learning or training on.

 

[macs4nw]

Even more pretentious is teaching useless skills like art. I'd be okay if they taught actual useful skills like being a doctor or lawyer or engineer.

The Arts are definitely not useless, an under-appreciated stepchild of society perhaps, but without the Arts and the free expression thereof, life would be dull and incredibly boring.

Sure we need Doctors and scientists but, the Arts have given us (and continue to make) an incalculable contribution to our existence by providing us excitement and vibrancy that keeps us going through the mundaneness and drudgery of everyday life.

These classes are a great option offered by Apple for those interested to broaden their horizons.

 

[macmarco]

Seems experiencing it personally is the best way to evaluate if Apple's plan works or not. I have just registered a Photo Walk session of coming Sat in HK.

 

[Sheza]

Didn't Apple Stores already have workshops and a Theatre and specialists / Pros would show customers how to do stuff with Apple products?

Yeah, these are new. And better, I think. They go beyond the basics.

 

[Foogoofish]

Seems experiencing it personally is the best way to evaluate if Apple's plan works or not. I have just registered a Photo Walk session of coming Sat in HK.

Yeah, completely agree. As a photographer I always jump at the chance to hear talks and go on walks, so as something that's free and easy to sign up for I can't really see what's to lose. Anyone else coming to the Regent Street walk in London this Saturday?