Ok, they are going to use iPads for point of sale.
According to my sources, no they are not.
Customer facing ipads (which have been around for almost a year) are for 'concierge' functions like making appointments and checking folks into appointments. Plus they have a digital wait list (has been around for a while) that they use to track folks during busy times so that someone that has been waiting for half an hour isn't snaked by someone that just walked in.
The iOS app for customers already exists. All they are doing is making an ipad version for customers (that waitlist is part of the app)
Yes they have added an ipad based RetailMe because most stores only have at most 2 computers for staff to do their required email etc checks but at least 10 employees coming on shift at the same time. Since they require that you do those checks before you hit the floor they had to do something. Using 10-12 ipads per store covers that. Plus it allows them to have more than 2 folks off the floor doing training at the same time
Set up sessions and areas already exist and have since Christmas. Some stores are finally receiving new tables (tail end of a 5 month change over) that is all.
As for the displays etc, that sounds too Microsoft glitz to be completely true. New sound systems, particularly ones that can be used during workshops to cut the music in that area and amplify the speaker make sense. But the whole flashing movies on the walls stuff. Too much style and not enough substance for Apple. No one actually believes any of that to be true.
Nor do they believe that Apple is asshat enough to put a ton of ipads out on the floor as displays when the online store still has ship dates of over a week out. The negative PR would be major
What they do believe is that the revamp of MobileMe is about to happen and they are perhaps getting a preview and training now so that they will be ready to really push it when it goes public. Rather than a ton of "I don't know, we just found out about it too" which makes them look bad.
but I've been to the Apple store in San Diego UTC looking to check out the magic trackpad, the macbook pro 15's new Hi-Res screen, & get a view of what OSX Server works & looks like... any number of other items, and I've been told they don't display those items.
That store doesn't. But I can see every one of those things at all 5 of the stores in LA that I visit. And only one of them is one of those giant floor plan type stores (The Grove). The rest are shoeboxes. So the 'don't display' isn't universal.
Black curtains. Phone ban. 7am meetings. I don't think it's just a run of the mill operating change.
Black curtains -- due to complaints about customers knocking on the door when they see folks inside.
7am meeting. Mixing it up. Not that crazy. Not everyone wants to have their evening ruined. So play fair and switch things around. It's pretty much always Sunday in the US because most stores are in malls and the mall hours on Sundays are open later and close earlier than other days. Easier to have a meeting without having to change hours.
Phone ban. Done all the time. It insures that the meeting isn't disturbed by ringing phones and folks aren't distracted.
And the NDA talk. They have started doing that at every meeting to remind folks that there's a firm rule to keep your mouth shut. Talking is cause for termination.
