The Consumerist Web site claims to have held an instant messaging session with someone whose “mate” purchased a “refreshed” MacBook, presumably from the Regent Street store, and discovered “porn on the desktop” when he got the laptop home. The materials were further described as a “desktop full of JPGs.” The account is fragmented by the IM exchange, and is also third-party, so it’s difficult to judge its truthfulness. The purported buyer said he’s already “reformatted the drive” and reinstalled OS X, but he was still going to contact his Member of Parliament for a remedy. The story is ominously taken to another level when the “mate” explained that he purchased the computer for his 11 year-old daughter. There’s no mention that she ever saw the materials, however.
![]()
I earlier noted the change in desktop buttons on computers at the retail stores. They’ve now been simplified into Concierge, Need Help? and Classes+Events. Clicking on one of the icons takes you to the Genius Bar appointment system, notifies a Mac Specialist that you need assistance, or displays the store’s events calendar. The Help button turns the screen a wild green color with the smiling face of a Mac Specialist, and advises the visitor, “We’ll be there as fast as we can.” The buttons are an Apple customization of the dock controller, but you can have your own similar buttons using the Docktop application.
![]()
The second level of The Grove (LA) store has been reconfigured to match today’s consumer demands. The store was the 36th opened in July, 2002, and included a theater and very long Genius Bar. Now the theater is gone, replaced by a software and accessories section, and the ‘kids’ table. The Genius Bar was reduced in size and relocated. An iPod Bar and Studio have been added. Check these photos for more details.
![]()
The iStyle Authorized Premium Reseller store opened in Prague (Czech Republic) earlier this month, with a store that includes many of the design features of U.S. stores–albeit the first generation prototype. Now renderings of the store have surfaced, matching others produced by Apple’s European architects to assist resellers when upgrading their stores. The renderings show white Corian furniture, white walls and large wall/hanging graphics.
![]()
It’s a concept that seems limited to the UK and Italy so far, but another iPod-only retail store opened in Rome (Italy) on November 4th. The store is located within the Warner Village Cinemas in Parco de’ Medici, which is on the southwest side of the city. The FuturaGrafica store sells only iPods and accessories, but has a distinctly Apple store appearance. Check the setteB.IT Web site for photos.
![]()
A survey of Apple’s retail stores on Black Friday by a financial analyst showed a “likely upside” to previous retail revenue estimates for December. Analyst Jonathan Hoopes of ThinkEquity Partners LLC wrote to clients that the survey by volunteer observers covered 28 stores in eight states, and logged per-hour traffic ranging from 69 visitors in the early morning to 1,750 visitors in the early evening. read more…
![]()
While Apple hasn’t expanded the mini-store concept to universities, it has not neglected those institutions for retail sales. Although these sales fall within the company’s Education group, they still constitute retail efforts. First, an unknown number of universities have physical stores on campus that sell Apple products, selected third-party products, and provide a point of advice and repair. Education discounts apply at these stores for those with student or faculty ID. read more…
![]()
Apple has rolled out a new collection of red holiday T-shirts for retail store staffers, accompanied by some clever slogans. On the upper back of each shirts is a terse slogan that promotes the Apple concepts.
Give movies, give music, give TV shows.
Give now. Borrow later.
They asked for something colorful. They didn’t mean a sweater.
Tech the halls.
For a PC user it’s not a gift. It’s an intervention.
Looking for something they’ll actually wear?
This could be the end of regifting. And rebooting.
Oh come all Ye Creatives
![]()
Even in sunny and warm climates, a snowman means Christmas. So that’s the window theme Apple is using at the retail stores to signal the holiday shopping season. In this case, a five-foot snowman is wearing a wool cap, carrying a small decorated Christmas tree, and is holding a pink iPod mini (not the Product Red model). Most noticeably, the snowman is wearing the unmistakable white iPod earbuds, with the cords glowing white. The window headline reads, “Chill. The new iPod.” Interestingly, this store window in Japan is identical to the U.S., including the use of English. At most stores the snowman is a flat cut-out. But at the flagship stores, the snowman is a three-dimensional figure, with a carrot nose and flower pot hat, with snow scatterd at the base.
![]()
Apple’s original iTunes Music Store has expanded way beyond its music origins, and now the retail stores are also selling TV show and movie gift cards. Each store has three plexiglass racks, one for each type of downloadable media, holding a supply of gift cards in $15, $25 and $50 denominations and white envelopes. In addition, there are several different versions of each type of card, showing photos of TV, movie and music personalities. If you purchase a $100 card, you receive an elaborate black, embossed folder holding a special black gift card. Lastly, the (RED) Gift Card folder has a faux-leather look and a special red-colored gift card.
![]()
Apple has distributed a low-key 2006 Holiday Gift Guide that promotes, “The season’s most thoughtful no-brainers.” The front of the guide uses the new Product Red iPod mini and a simple red ribbon as its only reference to the Christmas season. In fact, the only Christmas keywords are “holiday” and “the season.” Inside, the brochure repeats the red ribbon theme, and spotlights some big-ticket items (iPods, iMac and MacBook), along with more modestly-priced accessories, .Mac and ProCare.
![]()
Apple is filling in retail store coverage between its Aventura and Boca Raton stores on the lower east coast of Florida with a planned store along Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. The 3/4-mile stretch of shops and restaurants is just east of downtown and adjacent to Riverwalk. The store could open by May 2007, and will add to a string of six existing stores from Miami to Palm Beach Gardens that is considered the region’s “Golden Mile.” [Location later identified as the Galleria Mall.]
![]()
In a program corresponding to School Nights at U.S. and Canada Apple stores, the company has instituted College Nights at stores in Japan. The program allows educational institutions to reserve the store for an evening to showcase their creative work for parents, teachers and the general public. The program’s Web page has photos of previous sessions.
![]()
In honor of the holiday shopping season, visitors to the UK Apple stores will be offered one-day discounts this Friday, Dec. 1st. The UK stores will also host live music DJs at all the stores. In addition, the Regent Street store will reveal its renovations, which include a glass elevator like the one at Fifth Avenue (NYC). Apple’s Web site is coy about the special pricing, but it mirrors the announcement on the U.S. Web site last week, which did precede discounts on certain products.
![]()
Apple has posted special one-day, Black Friday pricing for its on-line store, which should also apply to its retail stores. The Web page shows savings of up to $31 on iPod models, $101 on MacBooks and iMacs, and from $5 to $51 on various audio and computer accessories, and software. These latter discounts vary depending upon the manufacturer, with Apple’s own products discounted the most, up to 32%. Check the special holiday hours of your nearest Apple store for closing times–it’s a one-day sale.
![]()
Loading ...