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Jony Ive Says Apple's New Flagship Chicago Store is About 'Reviving Important Urban Connections'
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DNA Info has an article up with photos from the new store.
Check out that sweet state of the art trashcan:
Check out that sweet state of the art trashcan:
How about reviving the Mac Mini line and Mac OS team, function over form and less cash grabbing price points? That will get people to come into your pretty, but souless stores. The beautiful retail should be secondary to the wonderful tech that just works for folks regardless of economic background. Not pretenous halls of self delusional grandeur. Apple stores were once very comfortable and friendly. Not anymore. They used to cater to almost everyone. If they truly want to be a brand that reaches across tech, services and communities, Apple's brass needs to rethink their priorities.
Did you forget the store is located on the river walk?
The current Apple store, located in shopping central on Michigan mile. Now is being replaced by the riverwalk location, this part of Michigan Mile is rather enemic compared to where the current Apple store is - this will bring more business to this part of the riverwalk. Not only that, it will just be a great place to sit down and enjoy the riverwalk.
And like it or not, people appreciate well designed architecture. That’s why the boat tours on the riverwalk exist, took look at cool buildings, like the Apple store.
In fact I’m pretty sure the architecture boat tours are already including it as part of the tour.
TLDR: You’re wrong.
I really like the design. It opens up to the city instead of enclosing itself. I enjoy the fact that they're pushing the trends of architecture, which has long been a role of large companies, rather than simply building ordinary boxes all the time.
Now, if only they could do something about their presence in Toronto.
Also, guys, I'm disappointed in the lack of new desktop hardware, but the retail team has zero influence on that.
Now, if only they could do something about their presence in Toronto.
Also, guys, I'm disappointed in the lack of new desktop hardware, but the retail team has zero influence on that.
As an stockholder (investor and owner of the company) your priority should be to see larger dividend checks that are a portion of the profit the company has been making. It is your money that those executives have chosen to spend on these architecturally amazing structures that are very much like history religious temples (big beautiful structures that use amazing and modern construction techniques with lots of open internal spaces; often done to display to others the wealth of the sponsoring communities and patrons).
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swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
I don't think Woz would be a great CEO, but he is a founder . . .
This is O/T but I thought it was pretty crappy how after the Jobs' hagiography at the last Apple event they didn't even acknowledge Woz in the audience.
EDIT: Out of the people you mentioned I think Forstall would be good. An actual product person who knows the ins and outs of Apple's most valuable assets. I'm all for a new CEO. Unfortunately there's a difference between who is good for investors and who is good for Apple's original core customers, and the two sometimes but don't always overlap.
Apple isn’t a slave to stockholders, they can do whatever they feel is right.
Wow! Stunning architecture and a beautiful building. And the river location is awesome. Tip-o-my-cap...
There are already plenty of “urban connections” being made in that part of town. They involve knives and handguns, though.
I was including Woz when I said a founder is no longer really an option. MBAs are never great at running a creative company, look at Cook or Ballmer. They're better left running GE or DuPont.
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Let's start with a working space bar and go from there.
Gorgeous. Well done Apple.
I agree with the sentiment here that Apple should stay away from puffy language. It's never been their brand, and it's off-putting.
It makes me think about calling Apple Stores, "Town Centers" It's a good design directive, but to say it publicly sounds pretentious and is a huge over-reach. It's a great "product vision" for the stores, one communities will welcome, but it's better kept out of the public's ear
I agree with the sentiment here that Apple should stay away from puffy language. It's never been their brand, and it's off-putting.
It makes me think about calling Apple Stores, "Town Centers" It's a good design directive, but to say it publicly sounds pretentious and is a huge over-reach. It's a great "product vision" for the stores, one communities will welcome, but it's better kept out of the public's ear
Before executives with cash flush companies built magnificent architecture, it was organized religious groups that built these eye popping structures.
If one studies history objectively (and looks at apple marketing cynically), it appears that the Apple executives truly believe their's is the next big religion.
I don't understand all the hate from Chicagoans. This is a beautiful building--I would love to have it in my city instead of just a strip mall Apple Store. Sheesh.
Easily one of Apple's nicest looking stores, for sure.
The constant screaming of "we love the environment" is exhibit #1 that they are clobbering the environment.
Apple is a cut-throat vicious for-profit company. Period.
And I have no problem with that. Greed is good for consumers.
Better, faster, cheaper. Competition is king.
However, this environmental nonsense is the mother-of-all public relations snow-job, and the masses fall for it..
Keep in mind, this is THE company that has SUICIDE NETS around its factory.
I bet the nets are praised for being "environmentally safe" and biodegradable.
Folks are being scammed.
Just buy the product or don't, but do not think Apple is some successful benevolent company...
There is no such thing...
Apple is a cut-throat vicious for-profit company. Period.
And I have no problem with that. Greed is good for consumers.
Better, faster, cheaper. Competition is king.
However, this environmental nonsense is the mother-of-all public relations snow-job, and the masses fall for it..
Keep in mind, this is THE company that has SUICIDE NETS around its factory.
I bet the nets are praised for being "environmentally safe" and biodegradable.
Folks are being scammed.
Just buy the product or don't, but do not think Apple is some successful benevolent company...
There is no such thing...
Actually it made a lot more sense on Michigan. It's where everyone goes shopping. It's a store, you see.
The point I made is simple. Chicago does not need "urban revitalization." There are 1000's of actual cultural venues that serve the city well. Of course I realize the store is on the Riverwalk and frankly I am surprised (well, not really) that they put a store there...
Apple seems to confuse consumerism with culture. Architecture? That's the selling point here? We have a skyline that is the envy of many other cities. Ok, so the Apple Store will add to the landscape. Great, but don't come here telling us you're "revitalizing" anything. Rude as hell...
Besides, we already have an iconic and architecturally significant store - the former Marshall Field building on State street with a god damn clock that not even Macy's could take down. That's the point. It's the arrogant, pompous ******** attitude from Apple that is rubbing people the wrong way.
Open the damn store and say that you're proud to enrich the city. Be humble, be respectful. No one will argue.
You make good points but to be factual the factories and suicide nets are owned by Foxconn, not Apple.
I saw this building down by the river back in the summer, on my first visit to Chicago. As soon as I saw it, I thought, "That looks like Apple." (This was before the logo was installed on the roof.) I researched it when I got back to my hotel, and sure enough, it is. The floating roof is incredible. I don't even want to know what all that glass cost. It's stunning.