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Apple Stores are being targeted by thieves dressed as employees
People say carrying a clipboard, wearing a hard hat and acting like you belong can get you into any place you want. Well, a number of thieves in NYC adopted that idea to steal thousands of dollars worth of iPhones. They simply dressed like Apple Store employees and went straight to the shops' storage drawers. Back in March, a store on the Upper West Side was targeted by fake personnel twice. The location lost 67 iPhones, which amounts to almost $50,000, from the heist. This time, someone stole 19 iPhones from the company's retail store in SoHo.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: A VW bug made out of timber
Six years ago a Beijing company proposed an insane lane-straddling bus that could soar over congested freeways. The project just took a step closer to reality, as the Transit Explore Bus is set to begin testing this summer. In other transportation news, Airbus just unveiled the world's first 3D-printed motorcycle, which has a range of 37 miles and a top speed of 50 mph. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies announced plans to build transit pods from Vibranium, which takes its name from the fictional metal used to create Captain America's indestructible shield. A Bosnian retiree handcrafted a gorgeous VW bug exterior from over 50,000 pieces of oak. Vanmoof launched the SmartBike -- a next-gen cycle that is virtually impossible to steal -- and Google partnered with Levi's to create a smart jacket for urban cyclists.
No Apple Store in India unless it sells more local-made goods
Apple has been making an effort to conquer India to boost its declining iPhone sales, but things aren't going too well for the company. According to Reuters, the Indian government has rejected Cupertino's request to allow it to open official Apple Stores in the country even though most of its products are made in China. See, under the country's new laws (specifically the Make-in-India initiative), 30 percent of the goods a foreign high-tech retailer sells should made in India. A public official told Reuters that Apple "didn't provide any material on record to justify" its request for a waiver. India also rejected the company's plan to sell imported, refurbished iPhones in the country earlier this month.
Apple's in-store workshops offer art and photography tips
If you're looking to get some photography tips for that shiny new iPhone you got for Christmas, Apple is offering just that. The company will host mobile photography and art workshops at its retail locations next month. For iPhone photographers, the workshop will focus on techniques and accessories for improving the overall quality of images, including tips for long exposure and time lapse. If you're more of the artsy type, another tutoring session will show you how to use the iPad as a tool for sketching, drawing and painting.
Apple now lets Brits order online and pick up in-store
Apple already offers free next-day delivery for online purchases, as well as convenient local pickup points, but as of today, you also have the option of collecting your order in-store instead. Look at the website listing for the new iPad Pro, for example, and you'll see the familiar estimated delivery window is now joined by an "available for pickup" notice. You don't even need to get to the checkout stage to pull up a tool that lets you search for nearby stores by postcode. Anywhere the product is in stock will show as being "available today," and once you've placed your order, it should be ready for collection within an hour, though Apple will email you to confirm. You can also elect someone else to pick up your purchase for you, and of course, either way you'll need to bring appropriate documentation.
Apple Stores show off iPhone 6s 3D Touch with fancy tables
Apple is doing a new trick at its flagship San Francisco and New York Stores to show off the benefits of 3D Touch on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. A video from Grate App (below) shows the phones rigged up to a table that's actually a very large display. When you press on the iPhone's swimming fish screen-saver, it creates ripples in the screen around the phone, which vary in size depending on how hard you press. (The table itself doesn't appear to be force-sensitive, but rather just takes 3D Touch input from the phones.) It's a clever way to tout a feature that's a bit hard to grok, but there's no word on whether you'll see it in any other stores.
The Apple Store's biggest fan, Gary Allen, passed away at age 67
You may not recognize the name Gary Allen. For a time, though, Allen traveled the world to be among the first in line when a new Apple Store opened. He wrote about Cupertino's retail efforts on his blog, ifo Apple Store, including details of the over 140 store openings that he visited. He even drove across the country to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first store (pictured above). After being diagnosed with brain cancer, Allen stopped blogging in March, but not before amassing a knowledge of Apple's retail footprint that may never be rivaled. He passed away this week at age 67, leaving behind his wife, son and two brothers. "He made all kinds of friends all over the world," his brother Jim told The Washington Post. "I think that's the part of it he most enjoyed." [Image credit: Washington Post/Getty Images]
Apple's first stores in India open next month
It's kind of bonkers that Apple doesn't already have a retail presence in India, a country with some 1.25 billion people, but that's the world we live in. For a little bit longer anyway. Cupertino's working to address this by partnering with Tata (yes, them) to put Apple shops inside several Croma stores in the region, according to The Times of India. The current plan is to open by next month's Diwali festival of lights. The Times also reports that because Apple hasn't set up shop on its own because it's been unable meet a mandatory ruling regarding "local-sourcing norms" for a foreign investment in retail.
Why wait in line for an iPhone when you can send a robot?
You can now wait in line for an iPhone 6S without leaving your bed at an unearthly hour. At Apple's flagship store in Sydney, Australia, a telepresence robot (essentially an iPad on Segway-style wheels) is standing in for Lucy Kelly. The robot showed up at 5am and is currently fourth-in-line to get a new iPhone. As the robot continues to wait overnight in a tent where it can stay charged for the final phone transaction, Kelly has been using an app to log in and communicate with humans in line from the comfort of her home.
Ex-NBA player gets community service after stealing $15,000 from Apple Store
Former NBA player Rex Chapman has pleaded guilty to four felony counts of theft after being arrested for stealing more than $15,000 worth of merchandise from an Apple Store in Scottsdale, Arizona last year. Chapman reportedly used a store's self-checkout system on seven different occasions but left without paying each time. He then allegedly sold the items for cash at a local pawn shop. He has been sentenced to a 28-day substance-abuse treatment program at the Brook Hospital in Louisville as well as 750 hours of community service. He'll also be placed on probation. He will also be required to pay the Apple Store more than $15,000 in restitution and be liable for up to $10,000 more should the store discover any additional incidents of theft. [Image Credit: NBAE/Getty Images]
You can try an Apple Watch without an appointment
To date, you've had to book an appointment to try the Apple Watch in a store. That's something of a hassle when you only want to find out if the Leather Loop is comfy, isn't it? Thankfully, you shouldn't have to jump through hoops any longer. According to 9to5Mac, Apple retail stores are dropping the appointment requirement from this week onward. So long as there's an available staffer and a place at the tryout table, you can stroll up and get a hands-on (wrist-on?) with the company's first wearable. You can still provide your Apple ID if you want to be reminded of your pick later on, but it's no longer a prerequisite.
Apple's website redesign kills separate 'Store' section
You'll notice something new if you visit Apple's website right now. Things might look the same at first glance, but a closer look reveals the absence of the "Store" tab. Apple has chosen to get rid of its separate online shop entirely -- "store.apple.com" doesn't exist anymore and redirects to the homepage if you load it. Instead, you'll find Buy buttons in each specific product page, and clicking them adds items to a unified shopping bag (yep, it's no longer a "cart" either) instead of forwarding you to the store subdomain like in the past.
Apple Stores to carry third-party accessories in custom boxes
Apple is well-known for being very particular about its packaging... and it apparently cares about other companies' packaging, too. According to 9to5Mac, the tech giant is telling retail staff that it will soon sell third-party accessories in boxes co-designed by Apple... and possibly only in those boxes. Yes, that familiar minimalist look would soon spread to just about everything in the store. The move would ostensibly help you find what you're looking for and make sure that it works with your devices. Many of the familiar brands in Apple stores are reportedly on board with the idea, including Incase, Mophie and Logitech.
Apple Watch can now be reserved online and picked up in stores
Apple will finally start selling its Apple Watch in retail stores later this month, but if you're desperate to pick up the timepiece, there's now another ordering method to consider. The company is rolling out a "Reserve & Pickup" system which allows you to choose a Watch online and, as the name implies, ultimately buy and collect your order in store. It's a departure from the current appointment system, which requires that you order on the web -- even if you've just handled the device in a shop. Instead of waiting for the mailman to deliver your Watch, you can now choose an almost immediate booking at your nearest store and walk out with the hardware sharpish. As 9to5Mac reports, the option is already live in the UK, China and Australia, and we expect other countries will follow later today. It seems Apple is finally starting to catch up with its pre-order backlog from May.
Apple Store app offers same-day delivery in select locations
The Apple Store app now offers same-day delivery service through Postmates, the same company bringing Big Macs to New York City homes and Starbucks coffee to households and offices in several US cities. To be clear, the two companies have been working together long before this, and you can actually order Apple products from Postmates' iOS app if you live in one of the many locations where the company operates. This new on-demand delivery option, however, is available only to San Francisco Bay Area residents willing to pay a fee to get their items ASAP.
Apple Stores won't sell the Watch at launch, but six other shops will
You've likely heard or read that Apple's debut wearable isn't going to be sold quite like the company's previous products. Whether it's about where the demand for the product is coming from (or where Apple hopes the demand will come from), there will be no in-store purchases when the Watch finally lands this Friday. Well, not in Apple's stores. You might have reserved (past tense there) a Watch online, and made an appointment for a fitting of sorts, but there will actually be some places where you'll be able to pick one up, cash-in-hand, tomorrow. By some we mean a few. And by few we mean precisely six fashion stores. Scattered across the world.
Apple wants you to avoid product launch lines
Apple no longer wants you to wait in long lines during product launches -- in fact, it would sometimes prefer that you stay at home. An Angela Ahrendts memo leaked to Business Insider shows that the company is going to steer you toward using either the Apple Store app or its online store to buy devices like the Apple Watch and 12-inch MacBook. There's "more availability" online, she says, and you'll know just when you'll get your goods instead of "crossing your fingers" while you sit in a queue.
If you want to buy an Apple Watch in-store, you'll need a reservation
If you're looking for an Apple Watch (and you're shopping old-school, brick-and-mortar style), you won't be able casually dip into an Apple store and get some new tech-laden wrist candy. Not so fast: According to training documents seen at MacRumors, there will be no walk-in sales, at least to begin with. Customers will have to make an online reservation ahead of getting to buy it, supporting rumors that there may indeed be supply concerns. Those who do make a reservation will then then get to try on a watch and have a play sometime between the April 10th pre-sale launch and the April 24th on-sale date. It won't be this way forever, though: According to the leak, Apple will likely offer walk-in sales at a later date.
Apple Watch Edition buyers will get the red carpet treatment
When you're buying a $10,000 watch, you expect first-class service -- and Apple is apparently ready to deliver. Sources for 9to5Mac claim that people who buy the gold Apple Watch Edition will get to skip the queues whenever they need help. They'll be bumped to the front of the line when buying, and they'll have an hour to spend trying out watches in a private area (complete with an expert) instead of 15 minutes at a table like the hoi polloi. And if the worst happens, they'll get at least two years of access to a dedicated Edition phone support line that operates around the clock. This kind of bend-over-backwards help isn't unusual in the luxury world, where concierges and other one-on-one services are common, but it's not exactly standard fare for a company that will gladly sell you a $50 music player.
Apple's trade-in policy may soon include gift cards for rival devices
Apple's not exactly new to courting Android fans, but a reported change to its trade-in policy could finally get owners of other smartphones pledging allegiance to Cupertino. The usual slew of unnamed sources told 9to5Mac that Apple will soon allow customers to swap non-Apple smartphones for gift cards in-store, just like people can currently do with old iPhones, iPads and Macs. If 9to5's report holds true, retail employees are already being trained on the particulars of the process now, and you'll be able to ditch your old gear in one of the company's well-lit glass shrines in the coming weeks.
