Details and Impressions on Apple's Retail Changes

[MacRumors]

One MacTalk.com.au forum goer, Jack112006, posted detailed impressions of the new Apple Retail store changes:

As I was purchasing an iMac today, I spent quite a while talking to a few different staff members about the changes. To them, having the iPads as product info stands was nice, but the real change to them caused by the iPads is the queue system they introduce. Now, instead of having to wait around to find a free Specialist, all you have to do is request a Specialist from an iPad at the table you are at and they will be over as soon as they can be. It even tells you what place in the queue you are.

This queue system is an improvement over the current system in which customers had to fend for themselves looking for a free specialist. One concern by the retail staff was if customers might get frustrated and leave if they find themselves at the end of a long queue.

The posting also confirms something else we'd heard -- that the display iPads use a special ultra-thin tape-like ribbon cable that does connect into the iPad's dock connector to provide charging as well as an alarm in case of removal. As reported, the home button is non-functional on the display units, to prevent people from exiting out of the interactive demo software.

The overall feel of the store is said to be changed as about 35% of the store is devoted to setup and is described as a "much more community-centered space, contrary to the showroom feel of before."

Finally, Apple slipped a special inspirational note in with the documents to Apple retail employees.






Article Link: Details and Impressions on Apple's Retail Changes

 

[EvanLugh]

so does that mean something new tomorrow? i'm confused

 

[Warbrain]

It'll be nice to have that queue for the specialists. I've walked out of the store numerous times because I can't stand waiting around for someone who is available. I try to avoid the stores just because of that.

But hey, big change there, bet nothing really changes on the consumer side. The store will still be dominated by people stopping in to use the computers, annoying kids running around, and parents with massive strollers blocking the products I want to look at and buy.

so does that mean something new tomorrow? i'm confused

No.

 

[PJMAN2952]

APPLE store 2.0

So does this change happened at the APPLE store in the Lehigh Valley Mall in PA?

 

[abhimat.gautam]

[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2011/05/photo-500x500.jpg]Image[/url]

That’s the Apple I like: Not focusing on the past, but the future.

 

[Warbrain]

So does this change happened at the APPLE store in the Lehigh Valley Mall in PA?

It was supposed to happen overnight.

 

[r2fa3l]

waiting for an ipad replace the "geniuses" too

 

[1083296]

No one cares about this rubbish....

bring out mobileme revamp and cloud itunes already!!!

 

[Warbrain]

No one cares about this rubbish....

bring out mobileme revamp and cloud itunes already!!!

It matters. The retail experience is part of what made Apple into the industry giant it is today.

 

[DisMyMac]

Hope for new product this Tuesday... MacBook or Mini perhaps.

 

[Warbrain]

Hope for new product this Tuesday... MacBook or Mini perhaps.

Likely isn't coming. The necessary hardware updates have been made before WWDC and the summer. Wouldn't surprise me if you don't see updates to the line over summer.

Then again, I could be wrong.

 

[EvanLugh]

what happened to those gigs of data that was rumoured to be Lion?

 

[Blakeco123]

ya! A waiting list. thats one thing i always really liked about the genius bar, and im happy there moving it to the rest of the store. im not be sarcastic.

 

[Warbrain]

what happened to those gigs of data that was rumoured to be Lion?

It wasn't. Plain and simple.

Odds are it was new images for the Macs, iPads, and iPhones. Why anyone would even think that it would be Lion when that's not expected to be released until late summer...

 

[bushido]

lol just waiting for some jerks to keep pushing all the ipads asking for help.

 

[EvanLugh]

It wasn't. Plain and simple.

Odds are it was new images for the Macs, iPads, and iPhones. Why anyone would even think that it would be Lion when that's not expected to be released until late summer...

hang on, i was merely referring to what was believed to be Lion - i did gather that it wasn't Lion, just wondering exactly what it was (and you clearly understood what i meant)

 

[aramosc]

No one cares about this rubbish....

bring out mobileme revamp and cloud itunes already!!!

I feel you! Make MobileMe free!

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Sounds like great changes.

I agree finding a free specialist sucked previously, the queue system should work well.

The message kind of reminds me of the whole "Here's to the crazy ones..." - I really like them. They belong on T-Shirts.

 

[iDisk]

I feel you! Make MobileMe free!

That's not a good idea ( A Free MobileMe) Apple just needs to enhance it more so that us paying customers can take advantage of what it has to offer.

If MobileMe became free, it will turn into the sub-par gmail, hotmail, aol etc...

A Free Mobile Me, will not help Apple.... Apple knows people will pay a premium for features so they need to update MobileMe to keep it yearly price attractive.

 

[ECUpirate44]

Was at an Apple store this morning and the entire atmosphere seemed different. As said in the article, it feels much more like a community rather than a showroom. I saw some kid playing with the demo iPad in the Mac section. After a few min I realized the idiot was putting it into DFU mode... Idk why considering that the iPad2 cant be jailbroken, but I thought that couldn't be done with the demo units?

 

[billystlyes]

Sorry, but this is kind of lame. It also looks disorganized and seems like overkill.

BTW: I was in the Apple Store in Charlotte a couple month ago and it took almost 15-20 minutes to just get checked out. Plus, everyone had a snooty and pompous attitude. How about we do something about that Steve?

 

[DrumApple]

Looking at the pics, it looks like a bloody mess of wires, eww. And a queue system? What is this a deli counter? Won't go over well.

 

[e-coli]

If MobileMe became free, it will turn into the sub-par gmail, hotmail, aol etc...

It's already sub-par. At best it's the status quo. It's been a buggy flop since it launched. Even the most ardent of Mac fans will admit MobileMe is overpriced crap. Give me one thing MobileMe does that Google doesn't offer for free.

(Not really the point of this thread)

I like the iPad mini kiosk idea. Actually I think it's great. Ultimately it will drive iPad sales too.

 

[karlwig]

I read the inspirational note in Barrack Obama's voice.

 

[Lesser Evets]

so does that mean something new tomorrow? i'm confused

I figured the rapture really happened, just took the brains of certain people, though. This story, this whole gimmick, this non-event makes no real sense to me.