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Russia's online Apple Store features virtual specialist
While there still aren't any brick-and-mortar Apple Stores in Russia, Apple's online presence in the country went live yesterday. And though there may be no flesh-and-blood Apple Geniuses in the country... yet... the Russian online Apple Store features a pair of smiling blue-shirted specialists who are the gateway to help from real people. Should a visitor to the online store want assistance in selecting the best model of MacBook Pro, they can connect to a helper through an online chat, telephone call or by screen sharing. After a purchase, an online setup session can be scheduled using screen sharing. The UK online Apple Store also uses the virtual specialists, and the video explaining the service has been subtitled in Russian and is available for viewing on the Russian site.
Free iPhone next-day shipping makes Apple online store purchase even more attractive
Thinking about buying a new iPhone? Don't get in the car and go to the nearest Apple Store. Instead, use the same browser you're using to read TUAW and point it to the online Apple Store to purchase the iPhone there. Apple has launched a promotion where it's providing free next-day shipping on any iPhone sold through the online store, according to a post on Apple Insider. It's unknown if the free overnight shipping is a limited-time promotion or if Apple's making life permanently easier for those of us who love to buy our iPhones online. Only two iPhones can be purchased per customer and still be eligible for the free next-day shipping. This isn't the first time Apple's done something like this -- around the holidays, Apple usually cranks up the free overnight shipping machine to get electronic gifts to ensure happiness under the tree.
Apple online store now selling refurbished 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro
Earlier this month, Apple began offering refurbished 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks with Retina display via its online store starting at US$1,869. Today, it added the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro to its lineup of refurbished offerings. The machines start at $1,439 for the 2.5 GHz i5 model with 128 GB SSD and 8GB of RAM, a $260 savings over the $1,699 sticker price of a new unit. Apple's also offering the 2.5 GHz i5 model with 256 GB SSD and 8 GB of RAM for $1,699 ($300 off, normally $1,999) and the 2.9 GHz i7 model with 512 GB SSD and 8 GB of RAM for $2,289 ($410 off, normally $2,699). Shipping times for all three refurbished models run one to three days and, as usual, stock is limited. [Via Engadget]
'Tis the season: Apple launches holiday gift guide, offers free shipping
Apple launched its annual holiday gift guide that bundles together the best gifts for the Apple owner in your life. The 2012 guide sorts gifts based on device ownership with lists for the iPad, Mac, iPhone and iPod. The iPad page showcases the newly released iPad mini, which Apple says is "the year's biggest gift, only smaller." As was the case in past years, Apple's does not discount the products included in its gift guide, but it does offer free shipping as part of the 2012 promotion. If you are looking for discounts on Apple products, then you will have to wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday, when Apple usually offers small discounts on select Apple products to kick off the holiday shopping season. Other third-party retailers like Target and Best Buy will also cut prices on Apple products as part of their holiday promotions.
Apple adds online specialist chat to four countries
Apple unveiled a new online help feature that lets customers ask questions when they are shopping for an iPad or iPhone. According to Pocket-Lint, the service debuted on Wednesday in the UK, Germany, Spain and Brazil. Customers who have questions can click on the "Ask Now" button which is present on the iPhone and iPad product pages. The feature will connect you to an Apple specialist who will call you on the phone or chat online with you. There is also a guided tour option that'll let you watch the specialist's screen as they walk you through Apple's online resources. If you buy a new iPad or iPhone through an Apple specialist, you can also schedule a session to help you setup your email, download new apps and learn some tips-n-tricks for your new iOS device. [Via Engadget and Pocket-Lint]
Apple starts selling refurbished 3rd generation iPads
If you've been waiting for a deal on a third-generation iPad, your wait is over. Apple now has refurbished "new iPads" in the online Apple Store awaiting your credit card info. The pricing isn't too much better than what you'd pay for a brand new iPad, but discounts from 6 to 7 percent across the board aren't anything to sneeze at, either. A WiFi + Cellular 32 GB iPad that normally sells for US$729 is available for $50 off or $679. The best deal of the bunch is the 16 GB WiFi-only model, which sells for $449. Quantities of Apple refurbs are usually limited, so if you're in the market for a new iPad and want a bit of a deal, act soon. Note that all Apple refurbished gear comes with a complete warranty, a new outer shell, a new battery, and you can add AppleCare Protection Plan to your purchase. [Thanks to MacNN for the news]
International iPhone 4S shipping dates already showing delays
That didn't take long. Just hours after preordering for the new iPhone 4S began, Electronista is reporting that international orders for the new phone are already showing ship dates of one to two weeks. For some TUAW readers and bloggers, the order process went slowly this morning, indicating that servers were probably being slammed. Checking the Australian, Canadian, and several European stores shows orders taking one to two weeks for shipping. Other online stores, like the Japanese site, aren't taking online orders, so it's difficult to know what demand is like in those countries. The US Apple Online Store is still showing an October 14th delivery date for all three American carriers. Electronista noted that Apple generally provides more stock to the US. While the worldwide delays don't appear to show a sellout situation, it does point out some strain on Apple's production and supply capabilities. We'll know for sure on October 14th if the iPhone 4S is another hit for Apple, or if the lack of delays in the US are an indication of lesser demand for the new phone.
iPhone ship times start to slip (Updated)
Update: As of this afternoon, the ship times are all back to 1 day. Perhaps the inventory lag was related to weather events or other externalities. Customers looking to buy an iPhone 4 from Apple's online store will now have to wait 1-3 days for their handset to ship. This lengthened ship time extends to every model of the iPhone 4 that Apple sells. This across-the-board delay may be a sign that iPhone 4 inventory is dwindling as Apple prepares to launch the iPhone 5 in the upcoming weeks. Rumors suggest the iPhone 5 may have the faster A5 processor like the iPad 2, an 8-megapixel camera and both CDMA and GSM connectivity. It is expected to be announced at Apple's fall event later this month and go on sale sometime in October. [Via AppleInsider]
Apple Order Status system down until May 22
A few readers have tipped us that Apple's order status system for its online store is down until May 22. As you can see from the image above, the familiar sticky note is accompanied by text informing users of the downtime. We do want to note that Apple's online store is open and fully operational. It is only the order status system, which allows users to check the status of current orders, that will not be back online until May 22. Curiously, the order status system also went offline just over a year ago.
iPad 2 now shipping in 1 to 2 weeks from online stores
It always pays to be patient. While the iPad 2 had wait times of 4 to 5 weeks at launch, the devices are now shipping in 1 to 2 weeks from the U.S. online store. The ship times are consistent across all models, whether black, white, Verizon, AT&T, or with different storage capacities. The new shipping times could be due to lower demand, but considering that it is still difficult to purchase an iPad 2 at many Apple Stores, the cause is probably Apple clearing up any production issues. The new shipping estimates are not only showing up in the American Apple online store, but in Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia online stores as well. European countries are still showing 2 to 3 week estimates, but it's likely that the shipping times will decrease for the European and Asian markets as well. [via 9 to 5 Mac]
Apple Store Holiday Gift Guide now live
Apple has launched a 2010 Holiday Gift Guide in their US online store. The guide this year is designed to spotlight three segments: buying entertaining gifts, buying gifts for creative minds, and buying gifts for yourself. Entertainment gifts include the Apple TV and Civilization V, while creative gifts include iLife '11, the Magic Trackpad, and Microsoft Office 2011. Gifts for yourself include a $400 Cole Haan Messenger Bag and a number of iPod docking speakers. While all the items are marked at regular price, Apple typically offers Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts at the end of November.
iPhone 3G missing a 'select' button on Apple Store, might not be long for this earth
Yes, the "iPhone 3G is dead" rumors are flying fast, and our latest entry is hardly a rumor: Apple's online store currently lists the solitary 8GB iPhone 3G next to the full iPhone 3GS crop, but there's no longer a tasty "select" button below it. Usually if something's out of stock on the Apple store it will just say so, along with a projected time of delay, but with the 4G presumably around the corner this could indeed be marking the end of the 3G's last stand. [Thanks, J]
Snow Leopard box set makes short-lived cameo in Apple's online store
Whether or not Snow Leopard build 10A432 is really the ready-for-shipment "golden master," Apple's own site is giving hope to the masses that its next platform iteration is gearing up for a launch sooner rather than later. MacRumors is reporting that a Mac Box Set containing OS X 10.6 , iLife '09, and iWork '09 popped up on Apple's online store today priced at $169 for single users and shipping within 24 hours. The page itself no longer exists, although not before Google's spiders managed to pick up on it. It's probably wishful thinking to think this is indicative of a release before its projected September launch window -- and really, at this point, that's only a couple of weeks away -- if you were gonna hope for it anyway, here's some fodder for ya. Read - Snow Leopard box set briefly appears in Apple Online Store Read - Google entry for now-defunct page
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Apple Store back online, with changes
With the day's Apple news slowing down, the Apple store finally came back online after what seemed to be an eternity. We've been looking around and here are the changes that we found: New iPod nanos are now available for order and ship within 24 hours New iPod touches are available for order and ship within 1-3 business days New iPod classic is now available and ships within 24 hours New iPod shuffles are available and ship within 24 hours New in-ear headphones are not available and sport a "coming soon" message New earphones with remote/mic are "coming soon" as well That is all the newness that we spotted, be sure to leave a comment below (or send us a tip) if you spot something else. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Hola Mexico! New Apple Online Store
Finally! After years of waiting, Mexico has its own online Apple Store. The new online store promises a better values for Mexican shoppers, who no longer have to shop at the US store. And, as part of the grand opening, you can win a MacBook each day and an iPod nano each hour--assuming that I, a non-Spanish speaker, have interpreted this page correctly.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Korean Apple online store defaced
Last Thursday Silicon.com found out that Apple's Korean online store was hacked. The hacking was done by a dude going by the name 'Dinam.' He claims to be Turkish, but there is no way to confirm that. It seems he gained administrative control over the webserver (which was running Apache) that serves up the Apple store (in Korea) and he went ahead and defaced the website.
