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Brookstone declares bankruptcy after more than 40 years of business
Home retail chain Brookstone has filed for bankruptcy for the second time since 2014 after more than four decades of business. Barring 35 airport locations, all of its US outlets will be shut down.
Dubai's beating the heat with Mall of the World, a massive climate-controlled city
Dubai is hot. Summer temperatures can easily exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and desert conditions can mean weeks without relief. The city is already home to a slew of all-weather venues, such as Ski Dubai, the Middle East's first indoor ski resort, but the UAE's latest project could bring comfort to millions of residents and annual visitors. Mall of the World, as the complex is to be named, will include 20,000 hotel rooms, making up some 100 hotels and apartment complexes, the world's largest indoor theme park, an 8-million square foot mall and a 3-million square foot "wellness district," with doctors and inpatient facilities for medical tourists.
Everybody come and play Wii U, 3DS XL at the mall
Nintendo is going to the mall, everybody! The Nintendo 2012 "Holiday Mall Experience" will take place at 26 malls across the States between November 19 and December 16. The booths will have the Wii U console to demo, along with the 3DS XL.We've listed the locations and games available to demo after the break. Robin Sparkles may even perform (not really).[Thanks, Nick]
Westfield app updated, now with Concierge Voice Control
The official Westfield mall app (if you're in America, there's probably a Westfield mall near you -- near me in LA, there's like eight of them) has been updated, and for a mall app, it's pretty powerful. In addition to maps and directories of all of the Westfield Malls around, there's now features included like turn-by-turn directions in the mall, search not only of stores but also of products, dining, and events, and even OpenTable and MovieTickets.com integration, so you can make reservations or buy movie tickets from right inside the app. There's also a new feature called Concierge Voice Control, which is essentially a Siri for the mall, and can give you stores, directions, hours, or anything else just through voice control. That's impressive -- it's a little more than you'd expect from just a shopping application, but it's pretty nice. The app is of course free. Version 2.0 is the one with all the shiny updates, so if you're planning to head to a Westfield mall soon, might be worth grabbing on your way out.
The same as it ever was: Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD screens and partial level list
Look, we're not going to sit here and pretend the Pro Skater series wasn't as much of a staple of our adolescence as everyone else's. We loved poppin' sweet kicks in 1999 and we expect to love it just as much 13 years later with Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD; especially after looking at these spot-on reproductions of the Warehouse and School 2.Besides the Warehouse and School 2, the Mall, Phoenix, Hangar, Marseilles and Venice have also been confirmed for the remake. But honestly, we'd rather Robomodo focus on getting this soundtrack situation sorted out before they move on to paltry trivialities like "levels" or "characters" or "physics" or "skateboards."%Gallery-145293%
Apple Store may be coming to Masonville Mall in London, Ontario
Attention, Masonville Mall in London, Ontario: You may be getting an Apple Store next year. A local radio station reports that the Eddie Bauer store in that location is closing soon due to bankruptcy, and city records say that the relevant authorities are checking out a $3 million project for that location that includes (what else?) an Apple logo. The space does sound about right: Busy, relatively upscale mall, lots of floor space, and a big storefront right next to a Gap store. Of course, none of this is confirmed just yet, but remember that Apple moves fast: Even if the plans get approved in the next month or so, the store could be open as soon as next fall. Apple's been making a big push to open up some stores overseas and in big places like New York's Grand Central Terminal, but it sounds like the company is still working to open new stores in smaller towns as well.
Malls halt cellphone-tracking experiment after complaint from Senator Schumer
As you may have heard last week, two US malls (the Promenade Temecula in Southern California and Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, Virginia) decided to conduct a little experiment this holiday shopping season, in which they employed some cellphone-tracking technology in an effort to learn more about individuals' shopping patterns. That technology came from a company called Path Intelligence, which has previously outfitted UK malls with the system, and assures folks that it only detects cellphone signals, not phone numbers or other personal data. Those assurances apparently weren't enough for US Senator Chuck Schumer, however, who sent letters to both the FTC and the CEO of Path Intelligence, complaining that the tracking was "simply unreasonable," and that a "shopper should not have to choose between the ability to be in touch with friends and family in case of emergency and safeguarding her privacy." While it's unclear if it's in direct response to the Senator's letter, the company that owns both malls has reportedly shut down the tracking systems after only a day of use, although it isn't commenting publicly on the matter just yet. You can find Senator Schumer's full statement at the source link below.
Northlake, North Carolina Apple Store to open this month
According to a writer at a local Charlotte, North Carolina blog, a source inside the upcoming Apple Store in the Northlake area says it could open as soon as August 25 or 26. This store won't be far from Apple's big North Carolina data center. Last May, we heard that it was moving from a proposed site near the South Park Mall, landing about 30 miles away from Apple's big complex. It looks like work has gone well, however -- if this source is legit, folks in Northlake will be able to visit the new store by the end of this month. Congrats!
KDDI's Swing navigation system helps you find your way around a store, avoid human interaction
GPS can help you get to your favorite bookstore, but once you're there, it probably won't find that Thomas Pynchon book you're looking for. That's where KDDI's Swing navigation system comes in. Taking its cue from Nokia's Kamppi and NAVTEQ's Destination Maps services, the prototype is designed to help smartphone users find their way around malls, restaurants or any other indoor space, using only a red arrow as their compass. Just choose the section of the store you're looking for, wave your phone in a circle and KDDI's app will use a system of pre-installed sensors to find your location, before pointing you in the right direction. Seems intuitive enough, but Swing's success will ultimately depend upon how many people and retail outlets decide to adopt it. Swing past the break for a demo video.
Second Utah Apple Store seen in job listings
Utah is home to many stunning natural wonders, and soon it will be home to not one, but two Apple stores. Job listings spotted by ifoAppleStore reveals the Cupertino company may open a second retail store in the Fashion Place Mall located in Murray, Utah by the end of the year. This second store will be a mere eight miles away from Utah's flagship Gateway store, which is located in downtown Salt Lake City. Though eight miles is a relatively small distance for a state as big as Utah, the choice of Murray as a home for a second store is driven by demographics. Though Murray itself is relatively small with 34,000 residents, the Fashion Place Mall is located in a prime retail district that boasts of over 875,000 area residents whose average salary is $76,098. It is also physically situated on an intersection with vehicle traffic of over 174,000 cars per day. Sounds like a good place to sell a lot of MacBook Airs and iPad 2s, no?
Sony offers sneak peek of new LA store - no fooling (video)
You might see a bunch of fake news on the internet tomorrow, but considering what we've seen of Sony's new LA storefront, we're fairly certain this isn't a prank. That's right, Sony's launching a newly branded retail store in the City of Angels Friday, and from the look of things, it spared no expense. The 4,200-square foot space is the first to ditch the Sony Style moniker for the simpler Sony Store, and while the aesthetics are decidedly minimal, the experience is anything but. As you might expect, the shop offers demos of a slew of devices; it's packed full of everything from VAIOs to ray modelers to 3D Handycams, and it's also rocking a fully loaded home theater setup called "The Cube." Considering the outfit's been looking to up its retail cred, we'd say the new spot has the stuff to do the job, even if that bright white modular look does seem strangely familiar. If you're in the LA area, you can check out the new digs starting tomorrow -- if not, hit up the guided video tour above.
Pokemon to invade your local mall around 'Black and White' release
We knew this day would come -- we just knew it. Fortunately, we've had a contingency plan for years now, on the off chance that wild Pokémon should ever infest our local shopping mall. If you'll turn your attention to Diagram 6C in your Poké-Survival Guide, you'll see where we've marked the locations most safe from these powerful menaces. For instance, that Hot Topic? It's really well-reinforced against some of the larger ones, and the music should scare away any monsters with unobstructed ears. The Orange Julius kiosk? That's what we like to call a "kill zone." Do not, under any circumstances, wander into the Orange Julius. Oh, wait -- you mean that Nintendo is just demoing Pokémon Black and White at various malls around the games' release date, March 6, a full list and schedule for which is posted after the jump? We suppose that makes a lot more sense. You'd better stay away from that Orange Julius, though. Just to be safe.
Bing's detailed mall directory maps improve Paul Blart's livelihood, should be on mobile
Mall maps integrated into an online mapping system? It's not exactly a minty fresh concept, but Microsoft has managed to seriously up the game with its Bingified mall directory maps. These zoomable, highly detailed maps help you see the layout and store count at a glance, with each click inside of a store yielding an exact address, phone number and links to 'Directions' / 'Send to Mobile.' Heck, you can even use 'em to discover the best place to park. Only problem? They aren't exactly mobile friendly just yet, which all but defeats the purpose. Except, of course, if you've got the photographic memory that every stressed-out college student in existence longs for. Hit the source link to see if your nearby shopping complex is one of the 22 listed -- if not, you can only pray that it's added prior to December 24th.
Robovie R3 all set to assist, freak out elderly and handicapped shoppers this November (video)
The Robovie R3 is the latest in a distinguished line of humanoid bots developed for the purposes of research, discovery, and (a tiny bit of) geeky fun. Following its predecessor's footsteps -- the R2 secured employment as a guide to lost shoppers -- the R3 will be making its mall debut in November of this year, where it'll assist people by carrying their shopping, providing information about nearby products, and holding their hand as it guides them through the crowds. Intended as a way to get elderly and handicapped people back out into the community, this is part of a viability study for the robot's usefulness, and if it finds success maybe its anime eyes and dalek form factor will find their way outside Japan as well. Video of the R3 after the break.
First pic of Microsoft retail store's construction -- both Abercrombie & Fitch visibly nervous
Here you have it, folks. We knew this was coming, but the first photographic evidence of a Microsoft retail store under construction has just come to us -- via the company's Twitter account -- and we have to say, it brought a few tears of joy to our eyes. The first two stores are set to be opened in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California this fall. Wonder if the inside will look anything like those plans we saw?
Microsoft stores to open in The OC and The AZ
The locations of the first Microsoft stores have been revealed! Folks living near Mission Viejo in Orange County, Calif. and Scottsdale, Ariz. will be the first to check out Microsoft's brick-and-mortar retail spots when they appear in their local malls this fall. Those living in Orange County will likely do so after long days of underage drinking, Death Cab for Cutie concerts and slow-motion firearm assaults.(Sorry, we don't have any jokes to make about the Arizona location. Nobody ever made a show about sexy teenagers there.)
It's a done deal: Dell puts an end to all 140 US mall kiosks
Just as we feared, Dell will indeed be axing 100-percent of its US mall kiosks -- 140 in total. Unsurprisingly, the official word attributes the move to Dell's shift into big box retail stores, but we're sure that's not the least bit consoling to the fine folks who were pushing Round Rock's machines to mall-goers just yesterday. According to Tony Weiss, vice president for Dell's Global Consumer business, the move "fits in with how its broad global retail strategy is evolving," and for whatever it's worth, kiosks outside of US borders are still safe for now. You may still be getting a Dell, but dude, it won't be from the mall.[Image courtesy of NotebookReview]
Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour starts in August
Just in case you thought Disney's support of the Blu-ray format might be slipping, the company is taking its show on the road with an 18-city mall tour to promote the format. Disney's Magical Blu-ray tour, sponsored by fellow Blu-ray backers and experienced mall-tourers Panasonic, starts August 17th and aims to educate customers about the format with interactive demos of Blu-ray movies and hourly presentations on Blu-ray tech. While consumer confusion over high definition in general and the format war specifically is definitely a problem, we have a feeling that "education" will go a lot more smoothly once hardware prices drop a bit more. Check the link for dates the tour is coming near you, no word on if the HD DVD tour plans to crash any stops.
Wii hits the mall
Now this is the sort of marketing Nintendo needs to be spending money on -- it's a Wii mall tour!Don't take this the wrong way. After all, we love the ads. We're full of ad love. But the best footage we've seen of how the Wii works isn't in the polished ads. It's not any of the Red Steel guys or the kids throwing down with Bleach. No, the best of what we've seen is tucked away in the Wii experience videos, because they showcase the vast oceans of fun that the Wii can provide. How to communicate that to the masses of nongamers? Let them get their hands on a Wiimote. Perhaps this mall tour can do a little more of what the kiosks are supposed to do. And if you're near a Westfield mall between November 15th and January 13th, maybe you can see it in action. Take a nongamer friend and put a Wiimote in their hand. It'll work, because peer pressure is what friends do best.Full list of mall tour locations after the jump. We do not have specific dates for each location yet, but we'll guess they go in order. So if you're around Arcadia, CA, start making some calls!
Dead Rising creator fends off fans at mall
You could say a lot of things about Capcom's Keiji Inafune ("he looks youthful"), but you can't say he's without a sense of humor. Why else would the creator of a video game about a man trapped in a shopping mall fending off swarms of brain-hungry zombies trap himself in a shopping mall to fend off swarms of autograph-hungry fans? Despite the veiled insult, fans lined up for a chance to get some of Inafune's brain droppings scribbled on various things. Fans like Joystiq VIP Philip Palermo, creator of the super limited-edition Joystiq-zilla tee. Philip managed to make it out alive, but not before taking some great snaps of the mayhem, Frank West-style, and sending us in his observations of the event.
