Apple's 'Retail 2.0' overhaul launches first in Australia
Apple retail stores have taken the wraps off Apple's new retail upgrade, which makes use of interactive iPad displays to provide product information, pricing and features.
Apple launched "Retail 2.0" on Sunday morning in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Apple retail stores, as noted by Mac Prices Australia. The Cupertino, Calif., company opened its first retail stores on May 19, 2001, in McLean, Virginia and Glendale, Calif.
According to the report, the main change is the addition of stationary iPads placed next to other Apple products in order to display product prices, information and features. The touchscreen tablets can also be used to compare models and ask for help from a specialist. Photos of the new iPad display units reveal that the devices are placed in plexiglass.
The iPads appear to be running a custom software, as customers report that pressing the home button on the tablets does nothing. Though the power cable for the device does not appear to connect to the dock, one person familiar with the matter said the cable is indeed connected to the dock connector, but is "very well hidden." Also, detaching the cable will reportedly activate an alarm.
Some reports also suggested that Apple retail employees were wearing party hats to celebrate the occasion. Customers reported via Twitter that the Apple store updates created a "totally new experience."
Apple Retail 2.0 display iPad | Source: leoleakey
New Apple Store "Talk to a Specialist" feature
Apple Store in Brisbane | Source: Mac Prices Australia
AppleInsider revealed on Wednesday that Apple was stockpiling iPads in preparation for a retail overhaul. The new in-house iPads were due to be rolled out alongside an updated version of RetailMe, Apple's proprietary retail software.
Apple reportedly scheduled overnight shifts for retail employees in preparation for the updates to the Apple store. AppleInsider was first to report in April that Apple was blocking employees from taking vacation from May 20 to May 22. Mandatory meetings have been scheduled on Sunday morning and evening for Apple retail staff.
Apple has also taken offline the Order Status page from its website until Sunday, May 22 in order to perform a system update.
A recent report claimed Apple will update its "Apple Store" retail app for iOS this weekend, adding full build-to-order purchasing options to the application. Apple first released the retail app last year with support for stock configuration orders.
Apple launched "Retail 2.0" on Sunday morning in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Apple retail stores, as noted by Mac Prices Australia. The Cupertino, Calif., company opened its first retail stores on May 19, 2001, in McLean, Virginia and Glendale, Calif.
According to the report, the main change is the addition of stationary iPads placed next to other Apple products in order to display product prices, information and features. The touchscreen tablets can also be used to compare models and ask for help from a specialist. Photos of the new iPad display units reveal that the devices are placed in plexiglass.
The iPads appear to be running a custom software, as customers report that pressing the home button on the tablets does nothing. Though the power cable for the device does not appear to connect to the dock, one person familiar with the matter said the cable is indeed connected to the dock connector, but is "very well hidden." Also, detaching the cable will reportedly activate an alarm.
Some reports also suggested that Apple retail employees were wearing party hats to celebrate the occasion. Customers reported via Twitter that the Apple store updates created a "totally new experience."
Apple Retail 2.0 display iPad | Source: leoleakey
New Apple Store "Talk to a Specialist" feature
Apple Store in Brisbane | Source: Mac Prices Australia
AppleInsider revealed on Wednesday that Apple was stockpiling iPads in preparation for a retail overhaul. The new in-house iPads were due to be rolled out alongside an updated version of RetailMe, Apple's proprietary retail software.
Apple reportedly scheduled overnight shifts for retail employees in preparation for the updates to the Apple store. AppleInsider was first to report in April that Apple was blocking employees from taking vacation from May 20 to May 22. Mandatory meetings have been scheduled on Sunday morning and evening for Apple retail staff.
Apple has also taken offline the Order Status page from its website until Sunday, May 22 in order to perform a system update.
A recent report claimed Apple will update its "Apple Store" retail app for iOS this weekend, adding full build-to-order purchasing options to the application. Apple first released the retail app last year with support for stock configuration orders.
Comments
That?s a good idea. Expensive, but good.
Heh yeah. Didn't they just have a piece of paper there before?
I wonder whether they have iPads next to the iPads...
Heh yeah. Didn't they just have a piece of paper there before?
I wonder whether they have iPads next to the iPads...
Inset iPod Touches next to the iPads? Inset iPod Classics next to the iPhones and iPod Touches? inset iPod Shuffles next to the iPod Classics? Inset iPod Shuffles for audio only price and capacity options of iPod Nanos? Inset 27? iMacs next to iPod Shuffles?
Guess that the 'revolutionary' iPad has a part in revolutionising Apple's in-store experience. For me too, I now have the electrical diagram of one of my vehicles on an iPad - 40 pages less paper printed. Of course, I'm only consuming that information!
Per Wikipedia, "McLean is home to many diplomats, members of Congress and high-ranking federal government officials, entrepreneurs and service businesses partially attributable to its proximity to Washington, D.C. and the Central Intelligence Agency.” Here are some screenshoots from the original opening 10 years ago this week.The first picture appears to be a rather plump Steve Jobs than we’ve come to know in recent years.
Except for the excessive space occupied by boxes for the CD-ROM-based applications the store still looks fairly modern and certainly more classy than other electronic stores.
edit: I had forgotten they’d had some video center in the back of the store and a checkout desk at the front. I much prefer the Genius Bar being along the back instead of along the side at the back and not having the “register” tablet at the front. I wonder when they changed that? It’s surely been years now.
I had never heard of McLean, Virginia. Looking it up on Wikipedia only shows a population just under 40k for th 2000 census. So why was this city chosen as the inaugural Apple Store?
Although technically it's in McLean, the key fact is that it's in the Tyson Corner's mall. Tyson's Corners is probably THE shopping destination in the Washington, DC region (or at least on the Virginia side. The capital region is known for it's very high rate of college graduates (and advanced degree holders) and income levels. So forget "McLean" and think Northern Virginia or US Capital Region.
Photos of the new iPad display units reveal that the devices are covered in plexiglass.
Obviously they can't be "covered" in plexiglass, or else the touch screens wouldn't work.
In a way, it's sad... But that's progress!
...you damn well better believe that there's an app for that!
Obviously they can't be "covered" in plexiglass, or else the touch screens wouldn't work.
Are you saying plexiglass, specifically, is a capacitance inhibitor.
It's a great 'innovation' of sorts to keep the Apple Retail Stores current and increasingly successful and unique.
That?s a good idea. Expensive, but good.
iPads cost signifcantly less than people though.
What a total fucking non-event.
Hmmm, i don't think it was ever supposed to be an event. It was only rumour sites that ever suggested there was any sort of event planned. Simply some staff training events on some point of sale changes.
Obviously not worth getting too excited about, but probably little reason to be upset also?
Hmmm, i don't think it was ever supposed to be an event. It was only rumour sites that ever suggested there was any sort of event planned. Simply some staff training events on some point of sale changes.
Obviously not worth getting too excited about, but probably little reason to be upset also?
I'm not upset, it's just staggering that this is even getting coverage. It's not exactly a huge celebration for the average punter is it?
They might have had some sort of promo or an anniversary edition of something, but I guess that wouldn't rake in the profits.....
More good things to come hopefully as the release of LION takes place and IPHONE5 takes shape.
Here's the deal -- any retail store can have an interactive spokesman (low key salesman) at every retail station for $500/per... Total. No breaks, no OT, no raises, no healthcare/benes...
In a way, it's sad... But that's progress!
...you damn well better believe that there's an app for that!
I hope this was just a very poor attempt at humor or sarcasm.