Not buying it. For one thing, you don't need one employee per product display. One employee might be able to cover 20 product displays. Secondly, there are plenty of people who simply cannot interpret specs from a screen - that's why they're in the store in the first place. If they were able to understand everything about a product by reading a screen, chances are they would have ordered online or walked in and asked to buy the product. People who aren't tech geeks want warm and fuzzy human beings to answer their questions. Walk into an Apple Store that's not near a university or in a tech corridor. A very large percentage of people ask incredibly naive or stupid questions. It makes me sweat just to hear them. That's what the bodies are for.
Secondly, the employer does not match all withholding - they only match social security and medicare and in some cases, some percentage of a 401K. And the employer has overhead, which is usually fixed, regardless of the number of employees the store has. Is it more expensive having employees than having an iPad? Sure. But there's nothing that convinces me that an iPad can replace an employee anymore than the printed signage could have replaced an employee.
Thirdly, Apple's strategy is not to run its retail business strictly "as efficiently as possible". Efficiency is what a warehouse store like Costco or BJs does. Efficiency is not installing multi-million dollar glass staircases or glass cube entrances. Apple's strategy is to provide the best customer experience, thereby differentiating Apple from other retail. Part of that customer experience is knowledgeable workers on the floor. One of the reasons Apple started retail in the first place is because they were unhappy with how the products were handled by other retail. (Which doesn't quite explain the big push Apple has made to get back into all the big chains, but I never claimed Apple was consistent.)
Frankly, I find this idea to be a bit of overkill. It's basically (as I understand it) a slide show about the product next to it, which could have just as easily been contained on the product itself, except perhaps in the case of iPods.
I think you’re missing his point: This is great for Apple’s bottom line because it is more efficient.
You say that efficiency is not done in retail but it is and it’s a lot more complex than how your label and move boxes in a warehouse. The efficiency comes from handling the customers.
With Apple’s iPad kioskelles they can offer more information about products than before. This will keep some customers from having to bother employees about things that simply wouldn’t work on the little sheet of paper previously used.
If it’s not enough information they can call for an employee to come over. It will put them in a queue and they will know what number they are. The previous way was haphazard and caused me some stress at times not sure if the employee was just chitchatting with a customer or really helping them, if two employees talking were actively involved in something or just waiting for a customer to assist. I usually stopped an employee walking by who would then have to get me to someone else. Not efficient.
They should theoretically be able to handle more customers with a higher rate of satisfaction than before. That’s efficiency! That’s revenue! That’s profit!
With all the hype on the rumour sites this week I was expecting "Apple Store 2.0". Made a special trip to my local store today, I was so disappointed that the only difference was the iPad point of sale displays. Not sure what I was expecting but you could hardly describe it as anything other than a minor cosmetic change. They could have at least put promo videos on the iPads instead of the boring static displays. I thought they might have removed the non Apple boxed software and put up a video wall promoting the Mac AppStore or something.
I've noticed the last few times I've been in my local store that Safari is not on the dock. I'm sure this wasn't always the case but perhaps someone could clarify?
I've noticed the last few times I've been in my local store that Safari is not on the dock. I'm sure this wasn't always the case but perhaps someone could clarify?
It should be. If you don?t see it I bet someone went to click it and ended up pulling it from the Dock. If it?s open it?ll stay in the Dock until the app is closed. This has been a pet peeve with me about Mac OS since day one. It would be great to be able to lock the Dock items from being removed by dragging as I find this to be a common issue with less effective computer users.
It should be. If you don?t see it I bet someone went to click it and ended up pulling it from the Dock. If it?s open it?ll stay in the Dock until the app is closed. This has been a pet peeve with me about Mac OS since day one. It would be great to be able to lock the Dock items from being removed by dragging as I find this to be a common issue with less effective computer users.
I am aware of how the dock works so that is what I thought too until I saw it a second and third time and thought maybe Apple had removed it to try and stop people using Facebook etc! Obviously not prevent people from doing so but maybe make it a bit more difficult to find.
Here's the deal -- any retail store can have an interactive spokesman (low key salesman) at every retail station for $500/per... Total.
Clearly you haven't seen the signs. because they are no substitute for a sales person. THey are just signs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ameldrum1
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.
Correct. Apple never said anything was going to happen. The sites did.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PXT
Well there's the funny thing. I wonder if they ever thought of having the computer itself tell you about itself.
The computers do tell about themselves. By allowing you to see what they do. THe ipads are signage and are locked down in ways that would render the computer useless as a sales tool.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ascii
Also, what happens if you reboot the iPad, does the Store App automatically start up? Because I reckon people will try that, because the reason they go to the Apple Store is not to buy stuff but to play on the Internet.
You can't reboot the ipad. Nor does the home button work. I was at the mall today and checked that. THey have them set up in such a way that you can't do anything but the sign app unless you know a very secret and complex gesture key that only the managers know)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum
I read somewhere (in the article) that the iPad buttons are disabled, and power is not supplied through the 30-pin connector.
Nope,they are. Using a specially made ribbon cable that lies flush under the ipad which actually has little 'bumper's on the bottom to lift it just enough to give clearance for the cable
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
My thoughts on this are that is is brilliant for a few reasons. First, it could reduces the need for as many staff.
Not really. Because the number one group using them (at least when I was in today) was actually the staff. THe signs are a bunch of specs with no context so the customers still end up asking for help. About the only good the 'sign' did was give you an easy way to ask without having to wander around the store trying to find someone that wasn't with a customer. You could tap for help and when someone was free they would come to you (provided you didn't leave that spot)
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.....
Maybe your expectations are a little excessive? Apple is a very high profile company and the media love that sort of thing. No one forced you to read all the crap being speculated now did they?
It IS the anniversary of the retail success that no one thought was going to work. And Apple using its own technology as a part of improvements to their retail operations is notable at least as a dogfooding item if nothing else. On an Apple news blog. Supported by rab - I mean enthusiastic Apple users.
And for the record, why does it have to be about you??
I was in a store today and saw everything all the posters on this forum are talking about.
I think the 'real' reason for the iPad displays right next to every kind of apple product is to be able to show iCloud in action. I also think you need to have 2 systems side by side to be able to demonstrate the connectivity benefits of iCloud.
My 2 cents
I agree on both counts -- I hope Apple plans some great software on the Macs to demo the kioskelle sitting next to it...
...Or maybe the kioskelle will have another...
Seriously, My granddaughter is attempting to learn FCP by taking about 4 1/2 hours worth of video tutorials -- but FCP takes up the entire Mac screen. We put a copy of the Tutorial Videos on her iPad -- problem solved.
In a retail setting, the iPad kioskelle could Demo things like iMovie while the customer follows along on the Mac next to it.
I can even see situations where the iPad kioskelle * (I really like that word) and the Mac (or other Apple device) could interact to demonstrate some finer points -- "You're holding it wrong!"
Here's the deal -- any retail store can have an interactive spokesman (low key salesman) at every retail station for $500/per... Total.
Quote:
Originally Posted by charlituna
Clearly you haven't seen the signs. because they are no substitute for a sales person. THey are just signs.
C'mon -- It's the 1st day of a world-wide rollout. All the pieces are not yet in place!
Apple will expand the services on some or all of these kioskelles -- or add others (fixed and portable) that allow efficient browsing, comparing, configuring, shopping (in-store and online).
Is it my imagination or are those Handspring and Palm PDAs in the first photo of the Apple Store Opening? I could swear that the device on the shelf that Steve Jobs is leaning on closest to the camera is a blue Handspring Visor. Did the Apple Store sell Palm and Handspring devices when it opened?
Apple should reserve a section of it's stores for expert Mac users, such as myself, or basically anybody who has been using Macs for many years, which is a lot of people.
These iPad displays are probably useful for new shoppers, tourists and other people who don't know exactly what they want or need, but real Mac users know exactly what they want and need, and don't need any help or assistance when going to an Apple store.
If I happen to drop in on an Apple store, I want to get in and out as quickly as possible. I just want to pick up what I'm there to buy, pay for it and then adios, cya l8r. The Apple stores by me are incredibly crowded and filled with annoying tourists who walk in slow motion and speak ridiculous languages. That's all great for Apple, as they're raking in the bucks bigtime at their retail outlets.
It would be nice if you could order something online from Apple and pay for it, and then instantly go to the store and the item would be waiting for you to get picked up. You would be in and out of the store in literally a minute or two. Like I said, this new retail update with these iPads everywhere is probably nice for beginners and clueless people, but it doesn't make the Apple stores any better for people who already know what they want.
Basically, they SCREENED OFF Apple store windows and forced a lot of staff to work long hours overnight to update the POS systems!
Seems like secrecy paranoia gone completely over the top to me.
Weird.
I really don't think it makes sense to preface how long you've been a fan, even trolls say that.
The secrecy does seem pretty silly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism
An compared to previous CE with a lot of little crevices in buttons for germs to hide. Or how about talking face to face with some stranger exchanging germs.
Maybe we should all just buy online. Oh wait, didn’t Bird Flu originate in China where their products are made?
I think that shows the absurdity of worrying about germs. Last I heard, bacteria in a human outnumber human cells 10:1, and there's almost no escaping them otherwise. I don't remember anyone worrying about germs on demo computer keyboards at stores, as you say, have a lot of crevices. I don't know how keyboards are cleaned in retail settings, I don't know how many keyboards are sealed so that you can use liquids without damaging them. Supposedly bacteria are a lot more prevalent on a keyboard than a toilet seat, but that raises the question of what kind of bacteria are found in each location, and how bad each kind is.
Clearly you haven't seen the signs. because they are no substitute for a sales person. THey are just signs.
1) If what you say was true than online sales would have never taken off. You have to admit there are many aspects an interactive ?sign? can substitute for a sales person as it can easily answer the most common questions.
2) They aren?t just signs. They also allow customers to interact with the employees in a more orderly, more efficient manner.
edit: I wonder if the 2nd point I made has somehow been overlooked by the readers that keep calling them ?signs?.
As I was purchasing an iMac today, I spent quite a while talking to a few different staff members about the changes. To them, having the iPads as product info stands was nice, but the real change to them caused by the iPads is the queue system they introduce. Now, instead of having to wait around to find a free Specialist, all you have to do is request a Specialist from an iPad at the table you are at and they will be over as soon as they can be. It even tells you what place in the queue you are.
Apple should reserve a section of it's stores for expert Mac users, such as myself, or basically anybody who has been using Macs for many years, which is a lot of people.
These iPad displays are probably useful for new shoppers, tourists and other people who don't know exactly what they want or need, but real Mac users know exactly what they want and need, and don't need any help or assistance when going to an Apple store.
If I happen to drop in on an Apple store, I want to get in and out as quickly as possible. I just want to pick up what I'm there to buy, pay for it and then adios, cya l8r. The Apple stores by me are incredibly crowded and filled with annoying tourists who walk in slow motion and speak ridiculous languages. That's all great for Apple, as they're raking in the bucks bigtime at their retail outlets.
It would be nice if you could order something online from Apple and pay for it, and then instantly go to the store and the item would be waiting for you to get picked up. You would be in and out of the store in literally a minute or two. Like I said, this new retail update with these iPads everywhere is probably nice for beginners and clueless people, but it doesn't make the Apple stores any better for people who already know what they want.
I wouldn't have thought it would make it any worse either..
And why do you need a certain section if you know exactly what you are going in there for anyway?
Comments
Not buying it. For one thing, you don't need one employee per product display. One employee might be able to cover 20 product displays. Secondly, there are plenty of people who simply cannot interpret specs from a screen - that's why they're in the store in the first place. If they were able to understand everything about a product by reading a screen, chances are they would have ordered online or walked in and asked to buy the product. People who aren't tech geeks want warm and fuzzy human beings to answer their questions. Walk into an Apple Store that's not near a university or in a tech corridor. A very large percentage of people ask incredibly naive or stupid questions. It makes me sweat just to hear them. That's what the bodies are for.
Secondly, the employer does not match all withholding - they only match social security and medicare and in some cases, some percentage of a 401K. And the employer has overhead, which is usually fixed, regardless of the number of employees the store has. Is it more expensive having employees than having an iPad? Sure. But there's nothing that convinces me that an iPad can replace an employee anymore than the printed signage could have replaced an employee.
Thirdly, Apple's strategy is not to run its retail business strictly "as efficiently as possible". Efficiency is what a warehouse store like Costco or BJs does. Efficiency is not installing multi-million dollar glass staircases or glass cube entrances. Apple's strategy is to provide the best customer experience, thereby differentiating Apple from other retail. Part of that customer experience is knowledgeable workers on the floor. One of the reasons Apple started retail in the first place is because they were unhappy with how the products were handled by other retail. (Which doesn't quite explain the big push Apple has made to get back into all the big chains, but I never claimed Apple was consistent.)
Frankly, I find this idea to be a bit of overkill. It's basically (as I understand it) a slide show about the product next to it, which could have just as easily been contained on the product itself, except perhaps in the case of iPods.
I think you’re missing his point: This is great for Apple’s bottom line because it is more efficient.
You say that efficiency is not done in retail but it is and it’s a lot more complex than how your label and move boxes in a warehouse. The efficiency comes from handling the customers.
With Apple’s iPad kioskelles they can offer more information about products than before. This will keep some customers from having to bother employees about things that simply wouldn’t work on the little sheet of paper previously used.
If it’s not enough information they can call for an employee to come over. It will put them in a queue and they will know what number they are. The previous way was haphazard and caused me some stress at times not sure if the employee was just chitchatting with a customer or really helping them, if two employees talking were actively involved in something or just waiting for a customer to assist. I usually stopped an employee walking by who would then have to get me to someone else. Not efficient.
They should theoretically be able to handle more customers with a higher rate of satisfaction than before. That’s efficiency! That’s revenue! That’s profit!
I've noticed the last few times I've been in my local store that Safari is not on the dock. I'm sure this wasn't always the case but perhaps someone could clarify?
It should be. If you don?t see it I bet someone went to click it and ended up pulling it from the Dock. If it?s open it?ll stay in the Dock until the app is closed. This has been a pet peeve with me about Mac OS since day one. It would be great to be able to lock the Dock items from being removed by dragging as I find this to be a common issue with less effective computer users.
Yep I am sitting in the circle but I am just watching the jerk fest.
Ha! I knew there was a reason you were over there touching yourself. Come touch an iPad 2 instead!
I bet these iPads get integrated into iCloud in some interesting ways.
For example, make use of the advanced artificial intelligence in iCloud.
Imagine using voice recognition to ask the iPads questions that you would normally ask a Genius and getting the right answer...
Hello iPad, what's the nearest store with iPhone 5 in stock? Please reserve one for me, John Doe.
Hey iPad, how much credit do I have left on my gift card?
What product can I afford with my remaining credit?
This could be insanely great folks.
These store iPads will certainly have exclusive contents and purchasing capabilities.
Time will tell.
It should be. If you don?t see it I bet someone went to click it and ended up pulling it from the Dock. If it?s open it?ll stay in the Dock until the app is closed. This has been a pet peeve with me about Mac OS since day one. It would be great to be able to lock the Dock items from being removed by dragging as I find this to be a common issue with less effective computer users.
I am aware of how the dock works so that is what I thought too until I saw it a second and third time and thought maybe Apple had removed it to try and stop people using Facebook etc! Obviously not prevent people from doing so but maybe make it a bit more difficult to find.
I guess your theory is probably correct though.
Here's the deal -- any retail store can have an interactive spokesman (low key salesman) at every retail station for $500/per... Total.
Clearly you haven't seen the signs. because they are no substitute for a sales person. THey are just signs.
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.
Correct. Apple never said anything was going to happen. The sites did.
Well there's the funny thing. I wonder if they ever thought of having the computer itself tell you about itself.
The computers do tell about themselves. By allowing you to see what they do. THe ipads are signage and are locked down in ways that would render the computer useless as a sales tool.
Also, what happens if you reboot the iPad, does the Store App automatically start up? Because I reckon people will try that, because the reason they go to the Apple Store is not to buy stuff but to play on the Internet.
You can't reboot the ipad. Nor does the home button work. I was at the mall today and checked that. THey have them set up in such a way that you can't do anything but the sign app unless you know a very secret and complex gesture key that only the managers know)
I read somewhere (in the article) that the iPad buttons are disabled, and power is not supplied through the 30-pin connector.
Nope,they are. Using a specially made ribbon cable that lies flush under the ipad which actually has little 'bumper's on the bottom to lift it just enough to give clearance for the cable
My thoughts on this are that is is brilliant for a few reasons. First, it could reduces the need for as many staff.
Not really. Because the number one group using them (at least when I was in today) was actually the staff. THe signs are a bunch of specs with no context so the customers still end up asking for help. About the only good the 'sign' did was give you an easy way to ask without having to wander around the store trying to find someone that wasn't with a customer. You could tap for help and when someone was free they would come to you (provided you didn't leave that spot)
Basically, they SCREENED OFF Apple store windows and forced a lot of staff to work long hours overnight to update the POS systems!
Seems like secrecy paranoia gone completely over the top to me.
Weird.
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.....
Maybe your expectations are a little excessive? Apple is a very high profile company and the media love that sort of thing. No one forced you to read all the crap being speculated now did they?
It IS the anniversary of the retail success that no one thought was going to work. And Apple using its own technology as a part of improvements to their retail operations is notable at least as a dogfooding item if nothing else. On an Apple news blog. Supported by rab - I mean enthusiastic Apple users.
And for the record, why does it have to be about you??
I was in a store today and saw everything all the posters on this forum are talking about.
I think the 'real' reason for the iPad displays right next to every kind of apple product is to be able to show iCloud in action. I also think you need to have 2 systems side by side to be able to demonstrate the connectivity benefits of iCloud.
My 2 cents
I agree on both counts -- I hope Apple plans some great software on the Macs to demo the kioskelle sitting next to it...
...Or maybe the kioskelle will have another...
Seriously, My granddaughter is attempting to learn FCP by taking about 4 1/2 hours worth of video tutorials -- but FCP takes up the entire Mac screen. We put a copy of the Tutorial Videos on her iPad -- problem solved.
In a retail setting, the iPad kioskelle could Demo things like iMovie while the customer follows along on the Mac next to it.
I can even see situations where the iPad kioskelle * (I really like that word) and the Mac (or other Apple device) could interact to demonstrate some finer points -- "You're holding it wrong!"
* AFAICT, Thanks to sol for "kioskelle"
Here's the deal -- any retail store can have an interactive spokesman (low key salesman) at every retail station for $500/per... Total.
Clearly you haven't seen the signs. because they are no substitute for a sales person. THey are just signs.
C'mon -- It's the 1st day of a world-wide rollout. All the pieces are not yet in place!
Apple will expand the services on some or all of these kioskelles -- or add others (fixed and portable) that allow efficient browsing, comparing, configuring, shopping (in-store and online).
These iPad displays are probably useful for new shoppers, tourists and other people who don't know exactly what they want or need, but real Mac users know exactly what they want and need, and don't need any help or assistance when going to an Apple store.
If I happen to drop in on an Apple store, I want to get in and out as quickly as possible. I just want to pick up what I'm there to buy, pay for it and then adios, cya l8r. The Apple stores by me are incredibly crowded and filled with annoying tourists who walk in slow motion and speak ridiculous languages. That's all great for Apple, as they're raking in the bucks bigtime at their retail outlets.
It would be nice if you could order something online from Apple and pay for it, and then instantly go to the store and the item would be waiting for you to get picked up. You would be in and out of the store in literally a minute or two. Like I said, this new retail update with these iPads everywhere is probably nice for beginners and clueless people, but it doesn't make the Apple stores any better for people who already know what they want.
Full disclosure—I've been a 25-year Apple fan.
Basically, they SCREENED OFF Apple store windows and forced a lot of staff to work long hours overnight to update the POS systems!
Seems like secrecy paranoia gone completely over the top to me.
Weird.
I really don't think it makes sense to preface how long you've been a fan, even trolls say that.
The secrecy does seem pretty silly.
An compared to previous CE with a lot of little crevices in buttons for germs to hide. Or how about talking face to face with some stranger exchanging germs.
Maybe we should all just buy online. Oh wait, didn’t Bird Flu originate in China where their products are made?
I think that shows the absurdity of worrying about germs. Last I heard, bacteria in a human outnumber human cells 10:1, and there's almost no escaping them otherwise. I don't remember anyone worrying about germs on demo computer keyboards at stores, as you say, have a lot of crevices. I don't know how keyboards are cleaned in retail settings, I don't know how many keyboards are sealed so that you can use liquids without damaging them. Supposedly bacteria are a lot more prevalent on a keyboard than a toilet seat, but that raises the question of what kind of bacteria are found in each location, and how bad each kind is.
Clearly you haven't seen the signs. because they are no substitute for a sales person. THey are just signs.
1) If what you say was true than online sales would have never taken off. You have to admit there are many aspects an interactive ?sign? can substitute for a sales person as it can easily answer the most common questions.
2) They aren?t just signs. They also allow customers to interact with the employees in a more orderly, more efficient manner.
edit: I wonder if the 2nd point I made has somehow been overlooked by the readers that keep calling them ?signs?.
Apple should reserve a section of it's stores for expert Mac users, such as myself, or basically anybody who has been using Macs for many years, which is a lot of people.
These iPad displays are probably useful for new shoppers, tourists and other people who don't know exactly what they want or need, but real Mac users know exactly what they want and need, and don't need any help or assistance when going to an Apple store.
If I happen to drop in on an Apple store, I want to get in and out as quickly as possible. I just want to pick up what I'm there to buy, pay for it and then adios, cya l8r. The Apple stores by me are incredibly crowded and filled with annoying tourists who walk in slow motion and speak ridiculous languages. That's all great for Apple, as they're raking in the bucks bigtime at their retail outlets.
It would be nice if you could order something online from Apple and pay for it, and then instantly go to the store and the item would be waiting for you to get picked up. You would be in and out of the store in literally a minute or two. Like I said, this new retail update with these iPads everywhere is probably nice for beginners and clueless people, but it doesn't make the Apple stores any better for people who already know what they want.
I wouldn't have thought it would make it any worse either..
And why do you need a certain section if you know exactly what you are going in there for anyway?
C'mon -- It's the 1st day of a world-wide rollout. All the pieces are not yet in place!
World wide? They have stores in 11 countries (with 72% in the US), I don't think that really equates to world wide.