Apple Testing New 'Live Notes' Feature at Genius Bar

[MacRumors]

Apple is testing a new AI-powered "Live Notes" feature that can transcribe conversations between Genius Bar employees and customers at some of its stores, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The system is currently opt-in, meaning it is only active if both the employee and customer agree to use it.

"The transcript is then added to the employee's iPad as part of the record of the repair session," he said. "The goal is to save workers time and let them focus more on the customer, rather than taking notes throughout the appointment."

Article Link: Apple Testing New 'Live Notes' Feature at Genius Bar

 

[jbc25]

Welcome to 2024, Apple.

 

[Radeon85]

They need to rename it as they aren't geniuses these days.

 

[Donfor39]

'Live Notes' something to look forward to, potentially convenient and pivot from NotePad++
Wish they 'd make them multi OS.

 

[gummybear2026]

So Genius bar employees can't take notes. The sad state of affairs for Apple continues.

 

[WilliApple]

Yes Apple take my conversations and process it with ai please 🙂

 

[Westside guy]

It's been 1-2 years since I've been in our local Apple store (University Village, Seattle), but - I thought they'd done away with the "Genius Bar" quite a few years ago. The last several times I went in, they checked me in at the door and then basically told me to wander around in one particular area and someone would find me when it's my turn. Unlike the previous iteration of the store, there was no real dedicated service area / Genius Bar.

 

[contacos]

Yeah no, how about give us some damn display that shows which number is up next instead of having us sit around some random ass spot in their store, wondering if you have been forgotten or not

 

[t0rqx]

It's been 1-2 years since I've been in our local Apple store (University Village, Seattle), but - I thought they'd done away with the "Genius Bar" quite a few years ago. The last several times I went in, they checked me in at the door and then basically told me to wander around in one particular area and someone would find me when it's my turn. Unlike the previous iteration of the store, there was no real dedicated service area / Genius Bar.

It's because there are no Geniuses anymore in the store, even if there are its 'just a name' with no meaningful value.

 

[Tsurisuto]

This has been live in the London stores for a while. I had a few Genius Bar appointments and the feature works amazingly well.

 

[zapmymac]

I opted out of this when I had a repair done in San Diego (Fashion Valley) a few weeks ago. The tech asked me to give him a minute or two to make notes : easy peasy. Repair was done correctly & I still was able to talk/chat with him. 🤷‍♂️✅

 

[svish]

Good to know about this. Think it will remain opt in always. Don't know how useful it is.

 

[Virtually]

Apple is so creepy.

 

[ifxf]

Looks like a great optimization so that the employee can give full attention to a customer.

 

[BGrifter]

Awesome. Now I can murder a chunk of the rainforest so the kid at the Apple Store doesn’t have to type “iPhone 17 256gb in white”.

I was concerned my visits to the Apple Store were too environmentally friendly, so this is fantastic.

 

[macfacts]

Remember to read the terms before clicking agree.

 

[J.J. Sefton]

Remember to read the terms before clicking agree.

Hmmm...I'm gonna click...decline!

 

[Powerbooky]

Yeah no, how about give us some damn display that shows which number is up next instead of having us sit around some random ass spot in their store, wondering if you have been forgotten or not

Some time in 2004 I went to the brand-new Chicago Apple Store and there were screens showing appointments and events. The Concierge screen. They probably were removed at the same time when the Apple's Concierge app for employees was introduced.

These days many businesses, including Apple, expect the client to use their phone for a waiting line status. Even amusement parks have virtual waiting lines.

It's because there are no Geniuses anymore in the store, even if there are its 'just a name' with no meaningful value.

Yeah... thanks to empty visionless managers this happens in many businesses. Ever read this story? Former Apple engineer can't get a job at the Genius Bar

 

[jlc1978]

It's been 1-2 years since I've been in our local Apple store (University Village, Seattle), but - I thought they'd done away with the "Genius Bar" quite a few years ago.

They have since it was mostly wasted space that is replaced by the large TV screen setup that is used for the in house sessions. Far better use, IMHO.

 

[klasma]

They need to rename it as they aren't geniuses these days.

They could rename it to Siri Bar.

 

[jlc1978]

Yeah... thanks to empty visionless managers this happens in many businesses. Ever read this story? Former Apple engineer can't get a job at the Genius Bar

Interesting story. Who knows what happened, and the guy certainly deserved at least a followup call even if they weren't going to hire him. It could have been something simple as Apple's policy on rehiring retirees, for example. I don't know what it is, but some places stop retirement benefits if you return as an employee. I worked for one that did that and after they gave a lot of the senior engineers a generous early retirement package hired them back as 1099's when they discovered they still needed their expertise; none of them would give up a large retirement check for a minor bump in pay and full time work. OTOH, two big checks every month...

Since the Genius Bar folks are repair techs, being an engineer certainly gives you an understanding and problem solving bent, but doesn't mean you'll be a better repair tech. The Genius Bar is a very time constrained operation, they aren't trying to diagnose necessarily why something is happening but implementing a fix based on the symptoms.

 

[mikeack]

Most of the time this is true, its pretty bad how far apple support has fallen.

It's true. I remember going into the Apple Store and them performing what I saw as wizardry. Now it's a "have you tried turning it off and on?" sort of environment.

 

[jlc1978]

Now it's a "have you tried turning it off and on?" sort of environment.

Obligatory IT Crowd reference...

 

[IDontCareLol]

They need to rename it as they aren't geniuses these days.

We don’t need to be.
We need to present the retail level resolution (ie. A logic board replacement) based on the Apple provided diagnostics we’re allowed to run and that’s it.
Most people love that. They want easy, fast in and out service.