Apple Launching New 'Sales Coach' App

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to launch a rebranded "Sales Coach" app on the iPhone and iPad later this month, according to a source familiar with the matter.

"Sales Coach" will arrive as an update to Apple's existing "SEED" app, and it will continue to provide sales tips and training resources to Apple Store and Apple Authorized Reseller employees around the world. For example, there are articles and videos highlighting everything from reasons to upgrade to a newer iPhone to popular iPad features.

Apple is aiming to release the "Sales Coach" app on Monday, February 23, our source said. It will have two major changes compared to the "SEED" app, including an all-new Liquid Glass design, and later an AI chatbot that can provide Apple Store and Apple Authorized Reseller employees with sales tips and product information.

When it arrives in a later update, the chatbot will be accessible from the "Ask" tab in the app, and employees will be able to ask it various Apple product knowledge questions. For example, they could ask about the iPhone Air's key features, or inquire about how the Instant Hotspot feature on the Mac works. We have not confirmed if the chatbot uses Apple's own large language model, or if it relies on a third-party platform.

"Sales Coach" is also rolling out on the web at salescoach.apple.com. It is an internal tool for Apple sales partners, so it is not publicly accessible.

A similar public-facing chatbot has been rolling out in the Apple Support app.

Article Link: Apple Launching New 'Sales Coach' App

 

[goonie4life9]

I feel for the store employees, who are going to be further limited in what they can say by a bot that cannot properly interpret context. We're moving so far away from genuine human connection.

 

[JilzVT]

I feel for the store employees, who are going to be further limited in what they can say by a bot that cannot properly interpret context. We're moving so far away from genuine human connection.

"I can certainly understand how frustrating that must be for you..." - just be a genuine human and fix my issue

 

[Black.Infinity]

I don’t need a coach, I need money 😅😂

 

[Astuces iOS]

Mate I helped a lot of people in apple communities and never need an AI to help me !

 

[jayducharme]

What disturbs me about this is the term "Sales Coach". Apple Stores didn't used to be focused on sales. It was a unique place to go with cool products and a knowledgeable staff. The idea was that by listening to you and treating you like a genuine person, they could help you in some way. That help could result in a purchase of an Apple product, but the staff wasn't necessarily there to "sell" you anything.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

What disturbs me about this is the term "Sales Coach". Apple Stores didn't used to be focused on sales. It was a unique place to go with cool products and a knowledgeable staff. The idea was that by listening to you and treating you like a genuine person, they could help you in some way. That help could result in a purchase of an Apple product, but the staff wasn't necessarily there to "sell" you anything.

Yep, the stores don’t feel the same anymore. I used to like going in and just browse and try out the newest Macs, but not anymore. Haven’t been in one since a few weeks after the AVP was released, and don’t plan to go back unnecessarily.

 

[Kidseeghost]

…

 

[riverguide]

If OS 27 does not improve on legibility, I will need a Purchase Coach to remain a fruit company customer. 😊

 

[Dark_Omen]

What disturbs me about this is the term "Sales Coach". Apple Stores didn't used to be focused on sales. It was a unique place to go with cool products and a knowledgeable staff. The idea was that by listening to you and treating you like a genuine person, they could help you in some way. That help could result in a purchase of an Apple product, but the staff wasn't necessarily there to "sell" you anything.

That's the way of the world as retail continues to decline.

Apple stores only look profitable because of Apple's insane profit margins.

 

[t0rqx]

This shows that Apple is giving more attention to sales than quality. Profit first. Not the strategy that worked very well. When Apple products sold themselves because of quality.

 

[svish]

Interesting. Nice to hear about what happens at the retail side of Apple.

 

[tomtad]

Now that is a sexy looking app icon

 

[zombierunner]

i am never getting the creator bundle ... try as hard as you like apple ....

 

[Nik]

Funny how they still list Liquid Glass as a feature. For me, it's the reason not to get a new Mac and iPhone.

 

[OS X Dude]

SEED has served us well, but Sales Coach looks far more impressive and likely lays the foundation for more advanced training delivery than what SEED was capable of. It already felt a bit… overstretched in some areas.

 

[ricketysquire]

"I can certainly understand how frustrating that must be for you..." - just be a genuine human and fix my issue

Im so sick of that generic meaningless platitudes, just solve my issue. This is what happens when businesses become so big where the people that make the decisions and the people that serve the customer are universes apart. These businesses need to be broken up, we need smaller and mid-sized businesses to serve customers, we need management that understands the reality of sales, service and support.

 

[cicalinarrot]

"Sell me this Apple Pen".

 

[ignatius345]

Im so sick of that generic meaningless platitudes, just solve my issue.

[rant] I hate it so much. Every time I have to talk to any first line support person, half their dialogue is this incredibly disingenuous scripted crap like “I understand your frustration. Thank you for being a [company] customer, and your satisfaction is our number one priority and...” And right out the gate, they’re wasting my time AND making some poor call center worker in Indonesia or whatever talk like a damn robot -- and they’re also totally eroding any positive sentiment I might have had for said company. [/rant]

 

[Apple_Robert]

You don’t need the app. All you need is MR and we update ourselves daily and don’t even charge.

 

[macaddiict]

It's hard to accept, but the Apple we used to know is clearly dead. Bad design, untrustworthy software, and "sales" apps rather than focusing on the experience.

Apple came back from the brink of death by focusing on what people want, and giving an excellent, memorable experience. Now we have clipart subscriptions and chatbot-trained store employees.

 

[grammatica]

So an LLM wrapper? What happened to hiring passionate individuals? I haven't been to an Apple Store in a while. The shopping experience is bad.

 

[bluecoast]

‘Please put iOS 18 back’

‘I’m sorry Dave, I can’t do that’

 

[delsoul]

Self-checkout at the Apple stores was Apple’s first step towards getting rid of its store staff. This is just the next step.

 

[skymovieguy]

Further proof they are no longer geniuses working in the stores.