Apple said to release iPhone app for in-store appointments
Apple plans to release a new "Concierge" application for the iPhone and iPod touch that will allow customers to schedule appointments at retail stores, AppleInsider has been told.
According to a source that has proven reliable in the past, the App Store software will allow anyone to view memberships and make appointments for services at retail stores, like the Genius Bar or One to One. No release date or the alleged application was provided.
The information on the potential new iPhone application was corroborated Monday in a separate report from MacRumors.
Customers can currently schedule appointments and make ProCare reservations via Apple's retail Web site. In addition to One to One and the Genius Bar, reservations can be made for personal shopping, workshops, youth programs and businesses. The description would suggest that the App Store software would simply be an extension of these capabilities.
In recent weeks, Apple has been expanding the relationship between its Web site and its retail outlets. Earlier this month, the Cupertino, Calif., company unveiled a holiday shopping in-store pickup option. The system will allow customers the ability to ensure products will be available for them to purchase before the holidays. Reserve and Pick Up allows customers to reserve an iPod or Mac online and pick it up at the nearest retail store between Dec. 15 and 24.
Apple has big plans for its retail stores in the coming year. Ron Johnson, the company's senior vice president of Retail, said last week that 50 new locations will debut in 2010.
Apple will also go bigger, as Johnson said officials realized that some of their stores were too small. All future locations, he said, will be at least "three tables wide," and the Mac maker also plans to have more "significant stores" that attract attention. The company's famous glass cube store on Fifth Ave. in New York City was said this year to be the most profitable store in the pricey district. It is estimated that the store has annual sales of more than $350 million.
According to a source that has proven reliable in the past, the App Store software will allow anyone to view memberships and make appointments for services at retail stores, like the Genius Bar or One to One. No release date or the alleged application was provided.
The information on the potential new iPhone application was corroborated Monday in a separate report from MacRumors.
Customers can currently schedule appointments and make ProCare reservations via Apple's retail Web site. In addition to One to One and the Genius Bar, reservations can be made for personal shopping, workshops, youth programs and businesses. The description would suggest that the App Store software would simply be an extension of these capabilities.
In recent weeks, Apple has been expanding the relationship between its Web site and its retail outlets. Earlier this month, the Cupertino, Calif., company unveiled a holiday shopping in-store pickup option. The system will allow customers the ability to ensure products will be available for them to purchase before the holidays. Reserve and Pick Up allows customers to reserve an iPod or Mac online and pick it up at the nearest retail store between Dec. 15 and 24.
Apple has big plans for its retail stores in the coming year. Ron Johnson, the company's senior vice president of Retail, said last week that 50 new locations will debut in 2010.
Apple will also go bigger, as Johnson said officials realized that some of their stores were too small. All future locations, he said, will be at least "three tables wide," and the Mac maker also plans to have more "significant stores" that attract attention. The company's famous glass cube store on Fifth Ave. in New York City was said this year to be the most profitable store in the pricey district. It is estimated that the store has annual sales of more than $350 million.
Comments
I know that on weekends and evenings it is a zoo at the Apple Store. Sometimes I don't make an appt. till I get there cause it is so packed it is hard to get the real attention you want. I also usually prefer someone that has not been answering RTFM questions for the last 2 hrs. if possible.
Why can't I think of things like this?
I hope that with improvements to the retail space, it will be easier to get an appointment. I usually had to make an appointment early in the day and take time off work to have Apple look at a broken product (more than one location). I really hope they increase staff to handle after-work times. Also, can we weed out the "I dropped my iPod and I want a new one because this one broke" requests for appointments? Many times I'm in there I see these kids who abused their products begging for a new one.
Up next: Self-Check Out. Enter the bar code of the item, pay, then validate the purchase with the Apple employee who welcomes you to the store.
Any way to make money fly from your wallet to Apple's, the better, right?
hah what are 'Youth Programs', that has a sligthly sinister National Socialist vibe..
Gimme a break. Quit living in the past.
There is also the potential for push notification, to say nothing of in-app purchasing. ;-)
Brilliant...can't wait to get it!
Why can't I think of things like this?
I know huh. Is there a place/ link you can submit ideas to apple?!
It would be cool if someone came out with a program that allowed end users to make their own prframs super easy like you can select icon shape then turn on record and have anything you do on the mac, recorded and turned into code. Like making the appt. You would turn on the program and then go to the website where you make the appt. Then turn off and it turns the actions into code. Silly
I know but it would work and users could make programs much easier.
Another idea i had is since laptops are becoming next desktops, why not have two hard drives. When user comes home they take the battery out and dock it to another station that has another HD and now the laptop is rubbing in raid and closer to desktop performance. Have a small section built in battery good for 10-20%.
Just a crazy thought.
Good idea. Though couldn't one already log-on to the Apple website via the iPhone and request a reservation?
I hope that with improvements to the retail space, it will be easier to get an appointment. I usually had to make an appointment early in the day and take time off work to have Apple look at a broken product (more than one location). I really hope they increase staff to handle after-work times. Also, can we weed out the "I dropped my iPod and I want a new one because this one broke" requests for appointments? Many times I'm in there I see these kids who abused their products begging for a new one.
Up next: Self-Check Out. Enter the bar code of the item, pay, then validate the purchase with the Apple employee who welcomes you to the store.
Any way to make money fly from your wallet to Apple's, the better, right?
For a second there, I thought you were going to post an even-handed response. I should have known!
For a second there, I thought you were going to post an even-handed response. I should have known!
Hee hee, I like to have fun. I wouldn't say its not even-handed. That last line could be used for MANY MANY companies out there, not just Apple. (Actually, used for all companies with the exception of some non-profits.)
How 'bout an app for looking up products, tech specs, and product features?
There seem to be a lot of apps that Apple 'could' be working on... but are they??
How 'bout an app for looking up products, tech specs, and product features?
This app my MacTracker is quite handy on both the desktop and iPhone. They can take a little too long to issue an update of new products but their info for all of Apple?s past products is quite extensive and fairly detailed.
One thing I liked about the Add/Remove Programs control panel in Windows was that it told you how often applications were used. I wish the iPhone had the same thing, 'cause I have apps on there that are like firecrackers: used once and done.
One thing I liked about the Add/Remove Programs control panel in Windows was that it told you how often applications were used. I wish the iPhone had the same thing, 'cause I have apps on there that are like firecrackers: used once and done.
That is a great idea.
Gimme a break. Quit living in the past.
how doe's one live in the past .
which implies we can live in the future.
and if he quits living in the past where will he go ??
maybe there an iphone app for that
time travel app 2.99
he is out on a hot date
i guess this topic could have been folded into another topic
seems kinda weak taliking about a resv app for the apple store
i mean big deal
those appointments are never kept
the genius calls out name after name
and the crowd around the genius BAR KEEPS GROWING
so just lie and pretend i am proudfoot or baggins or samwise
reminds mr of a nyc deli
next !!!!
I think I will just stick to doing my appointments online beforehand.
Or you could make appointments on Apple's other app, Safari. This is about as exciting as the Starbucks locator app (so not exciting to me). I would seriously prefer to see them make Safari better and stop using apps as substitutes for interactive web pages. I know this is why Apple is not allowing Flash on Safari.
I guess I get tired of having to pay for developers to reinvent web pages for the iPhone. Sorry if I sound angry, I haven't eatin anything in hours.