More evidence suggests Apple has plans for 10th anniversary of retail
Evidence continues to mount that Apple plans to do something to commemorate the tenth anniversary of its retail endeavors, though whether the event would be a new product unveiling or something else remains a mystery.
Citing a "solid Apple source," Boy Genius Report said on Monday that Apple "may be planning something big" to commemorate the anniversary coming this Thursday, May 19. That aligns with an exclusive AppleInsider report from April that revealed Apple had restricted employee time off in May.
Specifically, retail employees were told last month via e-mail that they could not request days off between May 20 and May 22, and that store managers were "very excited" about those dates.
The latest report claims that an overnight shift has been planned at each store that will require between 10 and 15 workers to work late Saturday through mid-Sunday. During that overnight shift, employees will reportedly be required to lock their cell phones in the main office, and will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Apple.
Those employees are apparently from a variety of roles including Geniuses, Specialists, a manager, visuals staff, a business team member, and a back-of-house employee. Stores have already received hardware to install, and more is expected to arrive later this week.
The report also states that Apple employees will put up black curtains so customers cannot see inside as they work, and employees have had to download gigabytes of password-protected data related to corporate training.
Adding even more fuel to the fire, MacStories also reported on Monday that Apple has scheduled store meetings at a very early 7 a.m. start time this Sunday, May 22. Boy Genius Report said there are also mandatory meetings set to be held in the evening.
No details of what Apple could be planning have surfaced, though one potential product could be the rumored iCloud service that is expected to play a major role in future versions of iOS and Mac OS, and also offer streaming music and media capabilities. In April, Reuters reported that Apple's work on its new streaming music service was "completed," while a separate report claimed that Apple has inked deals with two major record labels.
Apple allegedly offered no detailed specifics on its cloud-based service in negotiations, leaving those in the music industry to suggest that the Cupertino, Calif., company could choose to launch the service at any point.
Of course, it's also possible that Apple's plans could be sales and promotions related to the tenth anniversary of its successful retail locations. The first two Apple stores opened May 19, 2001 in McLean, Virginia, at the Tyson's Corner Mall, and at the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, Calif.
Citing a "solid Apple source," Boy Genius Report said on Monday that Apple "may be planning something big" to commemorate the anniversary coming this Thursday, May 19. That aligns with an exclusive AppleInsider report from April that revealed Apple had restricted employee time off in May.
Specifically, retail employees were told last month via e-mail that they could not request days off between May 20 and May 22, and that store managers were "very excited" about those dates.
The latest report claims that an overnight shift has been planned at each store that will require between 10 and 15 workers to work late Saturday through mid-Sunday. During that overnight shift, employees will reportedly be required to lock their cell phones in the main office, and will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Apple.
Those employees are apparently from a variety of roles including Geniuses, Specialists, a manager, visuals staff, a business team member, and a back-of-house employee. Stores have already received hardware to install, and more is expected to arrive later this week.
The report also states that Apple employees will put up black curtains so customers cannot see inside as they work, and employees have had to download gigabytes of password-protected data related to corporate training.
Adding even more fuel to the fire, MacStories also reported on Monday that Apple has scheduled store meetings at a very early 7 a.m. start time this Sunday, May 22. Boy Genius Report said there are also mandatory meetings set to be held in the evening.
No details of what Apple could be planning have surfaced, though one potential product could be the rumored iCloud service that is expected to play a major role in future versions of iOS and Mac OS, and also offer streaming music and media capabilities. In April, Reuters reported that Apple's work on its new streaming music service was "completed," while a separate report claimed that Apple has inked deals with two major record labels.
Apple allegedly offered no detailed specifics on its cloud-based service in negotiations, leaving those in the music industry to suggest that the Cupertino, Calif., company could choose to launch the service at any point.
Of course, it's also possible that Apple's plans could be sales and promotions related to the tenth anniversary of its successful retail locations. The first two Apple stores opened May 19, 2001 in McLean, Virginia, at the Tyson's Corner Mall, and at the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, Calif.
Comments
Maybe multiple products will recieve upgrades? Im not sure just my guess but hey I could be wrong.
Can't wait what is that so secret. Is it going to be a late Sunday program or for starting Monday a.m.?
that's my guess.
new macPro's ditching xeon for sandy bridge.
that's my guess.
The chips don't exist yet. It can't happen.
And there's no 'ditching'. Xeon is a product line within the larger family of Sandy Bridge. There were Conroe Xeons, Penryn Xeons, Nehalem Xeons, Westmere Xeons, and there will be Sandy Bridge Xeons.
I wonder why one of the two first stores was in Virginia of all places. In fact, due to the time difference, the Virginia location was actually the first Apple store to open I imagine.
Correct. Tyson's opened hours before Glendale. Why those locations? Mostly available real estate vs. desired locations. Early on, ARS (Apple Retail Stores) were extremely finicky about which malls fit criteria and even where in the mall the store would be placed. The real story is what was sold in those first stores... are far cry from the abundance of product you find now. Congrats former Apple colleagues.
...and an enhancement to Apple TV!
No, an actual TV with atv inside.
Not a matter of if, but when.
Also I wonder how this is going to play out for Canadians as the 23rd is a holiday.
It's the full catalog of the Plastic Ono Band available on iTunes
buzzkill
No, an actual TV with atv inside.
Not a matter of if, but when.
I agree. But 50 inch Apple TVs might be later this year or in 2012. My bet is
#1 iCloud
#2 Apple TVs
With a 10 year anniversary, hell, you could see both.
MobileMe services have been experiencing problems today.
iCloud is somewhere on the horizon.
No new rumors of hardware anywhere in the channel or otherwise.
A major event is brewing in Apple Retail....
Something tells me it is likely to be the iCloud...
It would be funny if Apple delivered the iPhone 5 while everyone else said they were delayed until September.
It would be funny, I would be happy, but I also don’t think it’s possible. There are just too many companies and people involved to keep a new iPhone a secret
Are retail stores open on Sunday in the US? Does this mean that the stores might not be open Sunday morning?
Also I wonder how this is going to play out for Canadians as the 23rd is a holiday.
Typically. Mall stores tend to have fewer hours on Sunday, like noon to 6pm. Individual stores can have different hours if their contracts allow, and of course stores not in malls tend to have much looser operating restrictions.
Let's connect the dots shall we?
MobileMe services have been experiencing problems today.
iCloud is somewhere on the horizon.
No new rumors of hardware anywhere in the channel or otherwise.
A major event is brewing in Apple Retail....
Something tells me it is likely to be the iCloud...
If we consider that MobileMe’s upgrade doesn’t need an event with Jobs discussing its ins-and-outs, and that their website and B&M stores with new banners are sufficient for propagating word-of-mouth, viral marketing then I agree that it’s probably about their data center services.
I just hope they have some sort of control valve to increase or decrease the number of users who can sign up for this service so they can keep it from crashing the way MobileMe did. Start with the old .Mac members I say (oh, that means me doesn’t it? What a happy coincidence.
PS: If we use someone having trouble with MobileMe as a sign then we should have expected iCloud to appear July 9th, 2008.