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Store Acoustics Force Visitors to Wear Earphones

September 9th, 2008

Being one of the busiest retail chain’s in the United States, and being lined with stainless steel, the noise level in Apple’s stores can rise to an uncomfortable level. The noise has apparently become so bad that it affects One-to-One personal training sessions that occur on stools near the back of the store. So some stores are now using a headset-based intercom system during training to allow clear communications between the presenter and student even as they sit side-by-side, less than 18 inches apart. See a photo after the break.

 

During this One-to-One session, the presenter (left) and student are wearing a full-ear headphone intercom system so they can hear each other speak.

During this One-to-One session, the presenter (right) and student are wearing a full-ear headphone intercom system so they can hear each other speak over the ambient noise of the store.


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Maybe this is a sign to expand more stores Apple?

Eric Lewis September 9, 2008 at 9:24 pm

I assume you got the permission of both of the people pictured to post their photo to the web…

me September 9, 2008 at 11:31 pm

To “me” you legally don’t need to ask permission of the subject to post on the Internet. Only issue could be using a picture commercially to make money. But again, legal grounds on this are very gray

Ben September 10, 2008 at 2:03 am

Whoever designed the apple retail stores really DID NOT take into account how to teach with computers.

Either they were 1) incompetent 2) lazy or 3) too cheap to build a real learning area.

Nefarious September 10, 2008 at 8:12 am

Or when they initially designed the stores, there was no One-to-One service…
But that doesn’t excuse them from altering the store design in newer stores.

Re: Nefarious September 10, 2008 at 11:22 am

This is a very good sign. As a former “Creative” or “trainer”, noise in the store was the bane of my existence. Many a time, did I have to get up and tell a sales leader to do something about it, whether it was the obnoxious after school crowd or the store staff clowning around. I’ve always voiced my concerns and ideas for a better learning environment. A clearly visible (glass theme) soundproof “One to One room” is my idea. If Apple is to consider One to One a serious business, then serious steps need to be taken to make it perfect, because Apple does strive for perfection.

JoeB September 10, 2008 at 4:36 pm

The people are in public. Legally you can take their photo and do pretty much whatever you like with it. First Amendment.

Alice September 10, 2008 at 9:12 pm

These headsets are actually used as headphones for the computer and have built-in mics, so that Creatives don’t need to scrabble around for equipment. Audio from the computer is routed to the headphones, and they have built in mics to teach podcasting etc. There is no audio link between the two wearers, they just have one each so they can both hear the computer.

It’s fairly obvious – the suggestion that they are using an intercom is laughable. It’s just a shame that the only good-quality headphones with built-in mics that Apple could get hold of look like you’re flying a jumbo.

??? September 11, 2008 at 4:18 am

Alice is right. The people cannot have any expectation of privacy while out shopping. Apple may have its own internal policy against photography in their stores, and in that case the photographer may have broken Apple’s rules. Though the photographer’s action was likely not against any laws.

Jon September 12, 2008 at 12:50 pm

Just a comment to “???” these headphoens DO in fact communicate together. I can say as a One to One customer how nice they are as well in a hectic and crazy apple store. But yes they are connected to the computer for sound output and input but also to each other as an intercom.

Greg September 15, 2008 at 9:08 am

Actually, Jon, Alice and Ben, unless the photo is taken from public property and they are clearly visible from public property, it is an invasion of privacy and not subject any “First Amendment” rights.

If you are on private property, such as in an Apple Store, or inside a shopping mall and cannot be seen from public property you have the expectation of privacy. While I’m sure it is against Apple’s policy, it is also can be subject to legal action.

Bill September 15, 2008 at 10:50 am

Contrary to popular belief, Apple’s policy states that customers can record video and take photos in their retail stores as much as they would like to! employees themselves though, are not permitted to.

di September 16, 2008 at 8:04 am
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