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An eagle-eyed Reddit user has noticed that Apple's higher education store is currently unaccessible in countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Singapore, fueling speculation that Apple could be preparing to launch its annual Back to School promotion for students and educators.

apple-store-down-wwdc-2017-message.jpg

"We'll be back," the page reads, which is Apple's standard message when its website is being updated with new products and information. However, the downtime could also be nothing more than routine maintenance.

For over a decade, Apple has offered an annual Back to School promotion, offering higher education students, parents of higher education students, and educators incentives, such as a free pair of Beats headphones or an Apple Store gift card valued up to $100, with the purchase of a qualifying Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

Since 2006, Apple has launched its Back to School promotion in the United States and Canada as early as May 25, and as late as July 23. The promotion is usually extended to several European countries such as France, Germany, and Italy on either the same day, or no more than a few weeks later.

These have been the promotion's exact kickoff dates each year in North America:

2016: June 2
2015: July 23
2014: July 1
2013: July 2
2012: June 11
2011: June 16
2010: May 25
2009: May 27
2008: June 3
2007: June 5
2006: June 5

Apple's Back to School promotion is highly anticipated because it's one of the few times a year that Apple offers deals to customers, and many hold off on summer purchases until the event begins. Apple offered free Beats headphones in 2016 and 2015, free Apple Store gift cards in 2014, and free iTunes gift cards in 2013.

Apple launched a Back to Uni promotion in Australia and New Zealand in February, offering a free Apple Store gift card valued between $70 and $100 with the purchase of a qualifying new Mac or iPad Pro.

Update: An anonymous tipster has informed us that Apple's Back to School promotion will include free Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones with the purchase of a qualifying Mac, and free BeatsX with the purchase of an iPad Pro, with the option to pay the difference to upgrade to Powerbeats or Solo3 Wireless Headphones. The tipster says the promotion will not include the Mac mini, iPad, iPad mini, or iPhone. This information has not been confirmed and, as such, may be inaccurate.

Back-to-School-banner-2017-800x158.jpg

Apple has also added a "Campus Essentials" banner to its iPad accessories page that leads to a "Back to School" page, but no products are currently listed. This is a good indication that the promotion may launch imminently.

Article Link: Apple's Education Store is Down, Back to School Promotion Incoming?
 
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If you're gonna do education offers Apple, please do it properly. Give the choice of say a free Apple Pencil or even the keyboard for the iPads. That's more education orientated that some free headphones for sure.

I wouldn't mind some gift cards so I can get that new Affinity Photo app and Coda for my upcoming Pro 12.9.
 
If you're gonna do education offers Apple, please do it properly. Give the choice of say a free Apple Pencil or even the keyboard for the iPads. That's more education orientated that some free headphones for sure.

Hahahaha...Apple...give products away for free?! They wouldn't begin to entertain that idea. They give you a useless voucher or some crappy Beats headphones that cost them exactly $1 to make.
 
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Are people still complaining about free beats headphones?
Apparently so.

From Apple's POV, I suspect they know full well that offering free Beats headphones generates more Mac sales, than if they offered an Apple Pencil, or an iPad keyboard case.

Armchair marketing gurus out in force...
 
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When apple has back to school sales, are the 'free products' that were bundled in the past IN ADDITION to the education discount? Because right now the 13'' Macbook Pro is $50 off in the education store, so would it be $50 off and a free pair of beats? Or back to normal retail price and a free pair of beats?
 
UK EDU store doesn't seem to be down :/
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When apple has back to school sales, are the 'free products' that were bundled in the past IN ADDITION to the education discount? Because right now the 13'' Macbook Pro is $50 off in the education store, so would it be $50 off and a free pair of beats? Or back to normal retail price and a free pair of beats?
You get the standard discount along with free beats.
 
When apple has back to school sales, are the 'free products' that were bundled in the past IN ADDITION to the education discount? Because right now the 13'' Macbook Pro is $50 off in the education store, so would it be $50 off and a free pair of beats? Or back to normal retail price and a free pair of beats?
Education pricing plus promo. Discount on AppleCare+ also and it offers damage protection now.
 
I hope they don't give away free Beats headphones this time - what if deaf customers don't want it? I hope Apple can give out alternative...

What if people with full hearing don't want it? It's a gift for freaking out loud -- a gift. Do you tell people that give you a birthday or holiday gift you don't like that their selection sucks? Just say "thank you" and if you don't care for it give it away or sell it. No need to be bratty about it. Whatever Apple offers today it's more than they offered yesterday. Just go with it.
 
Education pricing plus promo. Discount on AppleCare+ also and it offers damage protection now.

Wow that's actually a pretty damn good deal. Do you know if the back to school deal is online as well? My Discover Student It card has 5% back at Apple.com but it's online only :/
 
What if people with full hearing don't want it? It's a gift for freaking out loud -- a gift. Do you tell people that give you a birthday or holiday gift you don't like that their selection sucks? Just say "thank you" and if you don't care for it give it away or sell it. No need to be bratty about it. Whatever Apple offers today it's more than they offered yesterday. Just go with it.

This, like holy crap, apple doesn't have to offer anything.
 
Apparently so.

From Apple's POV, I suspect they know full well that offering free Beats headphones generates more Mac sales, than if they offered an Apple Pencil, or an iPad keyboard case.

Armchair marketing gurus out in force...

Maybe... but forget marketing... I'm going to guess you aren't an actual student. If they want to appear like they care about education, headphones aren't what help students learn.
 
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Maybe... but forget marketing... I'm going to guess you aren't an actual student. If they want to appear like they care about education, headphones aren't what help students learn.

You want a printer discount? Thats what I got with my first macbook? Why would I want that when my college gave you like 30 bucks worth of free printing money?
 
You want a printer discount? Thats what I got with my first macbook? Why would I want that when my college gave you like 30 bucks worth of free printing money?

Interesting. But think about current times, most work is done paperless. Hence the Apple Pencil and Keyboard. And personally, I print nothing and am encouraged on my course to work electronically and submit work online.

All I'm trying to say is what would help students the most.
 
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