Boston and (24 hour) New York Apple Store

[berkleeboy210]

So now there's what, four Apple Stores within an hour of where I live?

Go figure that one, we got so many apple stores here, all within close distance of other, and Steve won't give us MacWorld anymore.

Maybe once the flagship store opens they'll bring it back.

 

[misterman8]

Security

As far as all of this security talk is concerned I think we have overlooked the real concern. I don't think it is very likely that the store itself woudl be robbed. I think it is way more liekly that the customers 2 blocks after leaving the store would be targets. Apple gives you those nifty looking bags that scream, "I just bought something expensive, take it from me!" I feel uncomfortable after wakling out of that place, bag in hand, in broad daylight; I certainly wouldn't want to be walking around NYC at 2am with one of those bags.

 

[CubaTBird]

an apple store open 24 hours a day? who would visit there at 3 in the morning for example? i would think they would be more suseptible to robberies and the like if they are open that long.. especially if they are in a bad part of town. nevertheless, i sure wouldn't want to be an apple store employee starring at the ceiling at 3 in the morning.

 

[~Shard~]

nevertheless, i sure wouldn't want to be an apple store employee starring at the ceiling at 3 in the morning.

Yeah, but what else would there be to do other than play with cool Apple products all morning?

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

I sure wish we'd get an Apple store closer to me (about 45 minutes from Boston).

 

[intlplby]

someone was calculating the population/store earlier and i have a theory as to why they choose the locations they do


if more people in a certain area register a mac there, then they would probably be more inclined to open a store there.... especially since most apple sales are word of mouth sales.....

if there are a fair number of macs registered in a certain metropolitan area, it would make sense to open a store there since the general population there would be more likely to have experienced a mac through a friend

this is pure speculation though

 

[Marky_Mark]

Yeah, I agree other than the Genius Bar, what would you do there in the wee hours. One thing I would prob do myself is to try to make it a nice and hip hangout spot. Throw in a deli serving coffee, pastries, etc. Peeps can chill and hang out after the clubs! Think of it, the Apple store can become a cool nightspot!

That's actually a fantastic idea, you know. It'd be great just to chill out and soak up the 'appleness'! Not every day, but every once in a while, just to do the post-event MacForums thing, but face to face, with a large latte.

 

[yac_moda]

As far as all of this security talk is concerned I think we have overlooked the real concern. I don't think it is very likely that the store itself woudl be robbed. I think it is way more liekly that the customers 2 blocks after leaving the store would be targets. Apple gives you those nifty looking bags that scream, "I just bought something expensive, take it from me!" I feel uncomfortable after wakling out of that place, bag in hand, in broad daylight; I certainly wouldn't want to be walking around NYC at 2am with one of those bags.

I sent a suggestion into Apple after the first iPod death about how to use GPS or cell phone functionality and .Mac it to implement security that would be WAY COOL.

But they don't seem to be in any rush to give Mac users and unique and valuable advantage over other users !!!


You know how everyone is so worried about being tracked and other people knowing where you are. I just suggested allowing a computer or iPod to do it the way a cell phone can but make it so the user can turn it on at will through their .Mac account and then track the devices.

This way parents could have a secret code that could track kids and when things are stolen any owner could track the device in real time, but only with the users activation.

If you are truly worried about being tracked it is all already done anyway, the primary method of tracking that is ALMOST public because its in the hands of many people you should not trust is the VIN Code on your vehicle. Any time anything is done to your vehicle there are paper trails that could get in the hands of many people that would identify you via your VIN number.

One time I bought a new truck and the sales man prepared the truck for me to take home left the card key access and ignition enabling thingy in-place and told me not to worry about.

DANG that made me paranoid I removed it first thing fearing he or his buddies might use it to steal my truck.

The next vehicle had combination access which is very handy but since the dealer and salesman has access to the master code makes me pretty nervous.

Of course haven't the dealers always had master keys for the doors and the ignition.

Now a certain women that used to work for me, knew the sales man that I bought a vehicle from, her husband golfed with him. She was a convicted felon, two time looser, I wanted to replace her but it didn't work out.

The economy has been so bad these days people moving in and out of jobs all the time how can you trust a car salesman.

Of course if I had the WAY COOL iPod or computer Apple security thingy in there everything would be protected !!! And LOJACK is WAY too expensive.

 

[suzerain]

Well, New York is a 24 hour city and this store is in a huge tourist area near the Plaza Hotel, FAO Schwartz, Bergdorf Goodman and just over from the corner of Central Park. Sales during the day would be high but people are around that area at all hours.

Actually this area of Manhattan is basically dead at night. If they had opened a store in Times Square it'd have made more sense to open all night. Even the SoHo location would make more sense to be open 24/7.

59th Street is a ghost town at 2 AM.

I should also point out that I am a big-time night owl. I work at home, and I am usually up till 6-7 AM. I hate the daytime in the city, when all the damn worker bees and tourists are running around. The night here is so much better...

 

[yac_moda]

That's actually a fantastic idea, you know. It'd be great just to chill out and soak up the 'appleness'! Not every day, but every once in a while, just to do the post-event MacForums thing, but face to face, with a large latte.

Ya, a couple of weeks ago I put in Apple's suggestion box that they should put in office space cubes for rent, and have state of the art video and sound production facilities at each of their stores.

Use a coffee bar as the central and entrance point to this other half of the store and let people buy different levels of membership, mainly so consultants and business men can travel and work in different cities easily.

Members would get access to the theater for special streaming events that require nondisclosure and for the Apple University, then maybe the could lower their prices and get more certifications !!!

I told them to have a shuttle with the airport, and concierge service at the store with coupons for local hotels.

And set up the cubes/desk meeting places with state of the art telecommuting services software.

Then I told them, do this so Apple can hire the best programmers from all over the world and let them work and live wherever they want just as long as they have an Apple store nearby that they can come to work at each day !!!


Of course years ago I gave Apple the suggestion that they should build robotic office cubes that are electric and on wheels and can drive around at 40 MPH and work in auditoriums and parks where workers can coalesce at will, and it would have power drawers and maybe a microwave all that stuff integrated like car construction.

If you do this then you need to cover the cities with plastic domes and park all the cars on the outskirts and put the freeways underground and suck out all the exhaust fumes and re-burn them for electricity. The realestate reclamed by covering the freeways would more then pay for the cost of doing it !!!

And maybe have bumper car capability so people can get their frustration out and have some fun !!

Or you could just put elevators into SPAAAAAACE so that you could get up there from anywhere in 15 minutes and then you could go to work in a space station that would spin around a lot and then you could get off anywhere you want for dinner, stay at a hotel and go back to work, be a child of the world !

 

[saturnino3]

In regards to the 24/7 store in NYC, I think Mr. Jobs will probably go the way of the San Francisco (Market Street) and London stores and put a couple of security guys at the entrance of the store and some others throughout the store. I counted 9 security guards when I was at the London store last November.

Come on Providence Place store....

 

[spine]

You won't get an announcement from Apple until 5-7 days before the store opens. It looks like a early summer opening if it goes on a normal schedule, but the best thing to do is go and scout out the mall to see how things are progressing on the store. Next time you're in the area give us a report, ok?

As to the stories in the thread topic, readers of the New Apple stores? thread will have already heard of them. While the news of a high-profile downtown Boston store is something many here have been waiting for, it's still in the planning stages. As store watchers know from the experience of the cancelled Flatiron store in NYC and the ongoing process in Portland for a 23rd avenue location, getting by these review process hurdles is not a sure thing. Still, at this time it looks like a new Boston store is, for the time being anyway, a go.

For me, the big news in the midtown NYC story is the projected May opening date. It's been a long while (first reports in 2004) constructing this huge store and it will be interesting to see how Steve Jobs' personally designed glass cube works out.

Not only will I report - but I can take photos. The mall is close to where I work, and I am there all the time.
Thanks!

 

[nomad01]

Moreover, that area (midtown) DEFINITELY DOES sleep. Who is even in that neighborhood after business hours?

Are you being serious? I'm not saying it's a hive of activity at 3 in the morning but I'd never call that area dead after business hours.

I have a short memory so I can only refer to the last time I was in town (last April). I walked from Aureole (which is on 60th or 61st from memory) back to my hotel on 6th via this exact site and there was life. That was around 11.30pm. There's very little else open at that time of night in that spot at the moment but people were still walking around there. Walk around on 7th at that time of night at there's plenty of life. This isn't a million miles away.

I don't see it being busy in the early hours but I still like the idea. When Tiger was released, I bought my copy at about 11 pm from my local Apple store after going out for a birthday meal.

My theory is "If you build it, they will come".

I guess time will tell.

 

[EricNau]

Maybe Apple discovered it might help with security if it's open 24/7.

A computer store that is open is not likely to get robbed.

 

[yac_moda]

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Wireless-iPod-17852.shtml

"Tuesday, PortalPlayer announced that it had struck a deal with CSR, a manufacturer of WiFi and Bluetooth wireless chips, and were going to add wireless capabilities to digital media players
This may not seem like a big deal, but, if you read between the lines, this could spell that iPods are going wireless in the not too distant future."

Is there anything out there worth streaming all night long, something that can be seen from the roof -- probably not !?!?!

A better question, is this store the one that is closest to the main airport ???

 

[generik]

Wow I can imagine this

Apple is going the way of McDonalds, selling Apple products like Big Macs.

Expect more of the following in the near future!

"Mac drive thrus"
"Happy Mac packages"
"Buy a Happy Mac computer and get a free Pixar animations Toystory X toy!"

The list goes on

Maybe Apple discovered it might help with security if it's open 24/7.

A computer store that is open is not likely to get robbed.

It is cheaper to get robbed than to pay salaries 24/7, especially for the overtime

 

[generik]

Thanks but no thanks. Anyway, as a programmer just think of this. So suppose the "phone home" or "spyware" capability is currently disabled in a device (say iPod), how do you propose turning it on from a remote host without the iPod phoning home to start with?

Which means the iPod will always have to phone home to check.

I'd rather lose an iPod here and there than to have a device doing all sorts of things behind my back.

I sent a suggestion into Apple after the first iPod death about how to use GPS or cell phone functionality and .Mac it to implement security that would be WAY COOL.

But they don't seem to be in any rush to give Mac users and unique and valuable advantage over other users !!!


You know how everyone is so worried about being tracked and other people knowing where you are. I just suggested allowing a computer or iPod to do it the way a cell phone can but make it so the user can turn it on at will through their .Mac account and then track the devices.

This way parents could have a secret code that could track kids and when things are stolen any owner could track the device in real time, but only with the users activation.

If you are truly worried about being tracked it is all already done anyway, the primary method of tracking that is ALMOST public because its in the hands of many people you should not trust is the VIN Code on your vehicle. Any time anything is done to your vehicle there are paper trails that could get in the hands of many people that would identify you via your VIN number.

One time I bought a new truck and the sales man prepared the truck for me to take home left the card key access and ignition enabling thingy in-place and told me not to worry about.

DANG that made me paranoid I removed it first thing fearing he or his buddies might use it to steal my truck.

The next vehicle had combination access which is very handy but since the dealer and salesman has access to the master code makes me pretty nervous.

Of course haven't the dealers always had master keys for the doors and the ignition.

Now a certain women that used to work for me, knew the sales man that I bought a vehicle from, her husband golfed with him. She was a convicted felon, two time looser, I wanted to replace her but it didn't work out.

The economy has been so bad these days people moving in and out of jobs all the time how can you trust a car salesman.

Of course if I had the WAY COOL iPod or computer Apple security thingy in there everything would be protected !!! And LOJACK is WAY too expensive.

 

[rdowns]

Wow, I can't believe that Steve Jobs doesn't come here for his market research. Had he done that when the iPod was announced, he could have saved Apple from that dismal failure.

 

[suzerain]

Wow, I can't believe that Steve Jobs doesn't come here for his market research. Had he done that when the iPod was announced, he could have saved Apple from that dismal failure.

Yes everyone, please do be careful of using a discussion forum to, like, express your opinions.

 

[yac_moda]

Thanks but no thanks. Anyway, as a programmer just think of this. So suppose the "phone home" or "spyware" capability is currently disabled in a device (say iPod), how do you propose turning it on from a remote host without the iPod phoning home to start with?

Which means the iPod will always have to phone home to check.

I'd rather lose an iPod here and there than to have a device doing all sorts of things behind my back.

Do you own a cell phone ???


OK, well anyway I already told you that your car's VIN number does all sorts of things you don't want behind your back.

A cell phone can give your location via triangulation between repeater stations, probably soon all phones sold will have this capability.

If you didn't notice the WiFi on your Mac automatically displays ALL of the networks available BY NAME without asking you first wherever you happen to be. The only way it could get this info is by periodically and frequently querying for whatever networks maybe in the area.

If these networks were public your signal could triangulate your location and of course there is nothing stopping cell phone repeater towers from using WiFi signals to triangulate your location, if they were set up to do that, and then reporting it over the cell phone network to any company that owns or leases that network.

You do own a Mac with WiFi don't you ! This is the way this security systems would most likely be implemented with the new low power WiFi cards although I posted a link above to something that maybe even smaller then that.

¡¡¡ Thus, YOUR WORST FEARS ARE ALREADY REALIZED !!!


You do buy things don't you. It is easy for companies to track your credit and debit card numbers and purchases which would indicate where you are.

How do you know that last thing you bought didn't have RFID in it, Wall-mart started implementing RDIF at the beginning of last year, which could mean that all sorts of retail outlets carrying the same products might be getting the RFID tags as well.

Do you live in a city that is modern, they have these cameras now a the stop lights that take a picture of your cars license which would indicate where you are !!!

Do you have any membership cards for grocery stores, they track your location and buying habits just like yours cars VIN number.

Do you have a chip in your head, it can be activated at any time to give you a brain hemorrhage appearing to be a natural stroke but actually it would be an electrical impulse designed to create a block clot in the main artery in your cerebral cortex !!!

 

[zelman]

...there is nothing stopping cell phone repeater towers from using WiFi signals to triangulate your location...

There's nothing stopping ice cream trucks from triangulating your location either...except that they aren't set up to do that...and don't have the necessary WiFi hardware...and nobody cares where you are.

 

[yac_moda]

There's nothing stopping ice cream trucks from triangulating your location either...except that they aren't set up to do that...and don't have the necessary WiFi hardware...and nobody cares where you are.

Ah yes you agree with me then.

 

[JGowan]

apparently it costs nearly as much to keep a shop closed as open, as most of the running costs are the same and any sales cover the costs. I just imagine 'dodgy' types coming in... you'd need security on the door, surely?

Very true. However, after living in NYC for about 9 years, I found out the hard way that businesses can't keep homeless from camping out on the sidewalk in front of their doors. Many a restaurant door was opened to me by some homeless guy looking for a handout on the way out, with a roll of the eyes from the establishment.

One night, while going into McDonald's, I asked the fella what type of Combo meal he wanted. He said he rather have the money 'cause he really wasn't hungry for a hamburger. Whoever said beggars can't be choosers never lived in New York. If you can beg there, you can beg anywhere.

 

[yac_moda]

Very true. However, after living in NYC for about 9 years, I found out the hard way that businesses can't keep homeless from camping out on the sidewalk in front of their doors. Many a restaurant door was opened to me by some homeless guy looking for a handout on the way out, with a roll of the eyes from the establishment.

One night, while going into McDonald's, I asked the fella what type of Combo meal he wanted. He said he rather have the money 'cause he really wasn't hungry for a hamburger. Whoever said beggars can't be choosers never lived in New York. If you can beg there, you can beg anywhere.

In San Diego there is this McyDees down town with a HUGE mirror covering the entire wall in the eating area, this street empowered entrepreneur (Homeless) lady used to sit there right next to the mirror eating her HAPPY MEAL and look straight at her reflection and have a LOUD fast talking conversation with herself.

 

[Philoman]

How about a 24/7 in Los Angeles, California?

How about a 24/7 Apple Store in Los Angeles, Calfornia like in Santa Monica or Hollywood Area. There are a lot of Mac users including students, hollywood entertainment industry, businesses and the general public. A lot of people here are also awake all the time. It may not be finacially profitable due to the wide spread of the population than New York or London but it would be a cool thing.