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In-store pickup option for the iPhone 5s returns
On account of limited supply, or perhaps unprecedented demand, Apple's flagship iPhone 5s has been tough to come by. Of course, Apple has likely shipped millions of iPhone 5s units at this point, but walking into an Apple Store and picking up the exact iPhone 5s model you want still requires some patience. As a quick example, while visiting an Apple Store in Chicago last Thursday, I was told that the only iPhone 5s model in stock was a 64 GB Space Gray model for AT&T. All that said, Apple today brought back its in-store pickup option for the iPhone 5s. In short, folks can now purchase an iPhone 5s online and walk into a nearby Apple retail store to pick it up -- assuming of course that the desired model is in stock. Apple had previously removed the in-store pickup option six days ago, noting that interested buyers would have complete purchases in-store. Keep in mind that many iPhone 5s models remain unavailable, but the return of in-store pickup may indicate that supply may soon be aligned with demand. An employee at the Apple Store I visited told me that they receive new iPhone 5s shipments every day, but they don't know which models they get until the package arrives. Point being, if you're still on the hunt for an iPhone 5s, keep a daily eye on Apple's online store.
San Francisco Apple Store sells for record-breaking $50 million
The San Francisco Apple Store is setting record sales numbers. Not for the new iPhone, but for the land itself. The Union Square property is reportedly selling for almost US$50 million thanks to a bid from mega-realty corporation Ashkenazy. Normally commercial real estate prices near the exclusive Union Square location average an already mind-boggling price of $2,000 per square foot. The deal for the Apple property makes that look downright reasonable, averaging out to $3,000 per square foot. Meanwhile the Apple Store will be moving to 300 Post St., a nearby spot that was previously occupied by Levi's. The original building will be demolished so Apple can build the new store to its own specifications. According to Apple Insider, the building project has faced a number of struggles thanks to interference from the city on its design. Apple is currently waiting for the plan to be approved by the city's planning commission.
New Apple stores opening in British Columbia and Virginia this weekend
Apple has officially announced the grand opening of two new Apple stores this weekend. The first store in located in the Potomac Town Center shopping plaza in Woodbridge, Va. It opens at 10 AM this Saturday, September 28. The second grand opening takes place in Canada at the Guildford Town Centre in Surrey, British Columbia. It also opens its doors for the first time at 10 AM local time this Saturday, September 28. While neither store is a flagship, Apple usually has some goodies to give away to the first guests that go through the doors. Also, if you are in either locale and waiting to get your hands on a new iPhone, it may be possible that they will be in stock at these two stores -- at least at opening -- since Apple would likely want its two newest stores to be fully stocked with products.
Tim Cook, Phil Schiller, Katie Cotton and Eddy Cue visit Apple Stores for iPhone launch
It's a big day for Apple as the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s finally hit stores after months of buzz. People lined up early, stores were packed and fans were excited. But just because the phone has launched doesn't mean Apple's executives are glued to their desks. Accordingly, CEO Tim Cook and vice presidents Eddy Cue, Katie Cotton and Phil Schiller decided to hit the pavement along with their customers. Cook was spotted at the Downtown Palo Alto Apple store by an ABC News reporter, talking to people waiting in line for the new phones. #TimCook at Palo Alto store. He even took a picture with a customer with (what else?).. an iPhone. pic.twitter.com/mFav5en8HD - Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) September 20, 2013 Meanwhile Schiller and Cue made their way to the Stanford store to greet fans, before being joined by Cook and Cotton. So Phil Schiller and Eddy Cue are here at the Stanford store pic.twitter.com/NI1qmMhQLl - Salim Hafid (@sqreone) September 20, 2013 Tim Cook and Katie Cotton have arrived at Stanford pic.twitter.com/woGqTIvFRN - Salim Hafid (@sqreone) September 20, 2013 Former CEO Steve Jobs would occasionally visit an Apple Store on an important launch day. It's nice to see that tradition continue in his absence.
The Apple Store is down, down, down!
Get those fingers ready to hit refresh and those credit cards out as the Apple Store is down. The next time it comes back up, you'll be furiously clicking and typing your way to a new iPhone 5s. Don't forget -- the store will come back online for iPhone 5s orders at 12:01 Pacific Time, 1:01 Mountain Time, 2:01 Central Time and 3:01 Eastern Time.
UPDATED: European Apple online stores go dark in preparation for iPhone 5s launch
In the last hour all European online Apple stores have gone offline in preparation for the iPhone 5s launch here. Visitors to Apple's European online stores, like the UK store, are now greeted with the familiar "We'll be back" message. However, the wait will soon be over because at midnight local time those stores are set to go online and (presumably) sell out of Apple's latest flagship iPhone in minutes. Of course, if you can't nab one in the first few minutes when the store comes back online, you can always head out to your local Apple Store. The image above is one I took of people camping out in front of the Covent Garden store in London just an hour ago. As you can tell from the pic, only about 20 people were in line. UPDATE: The online stores are now open again and all iPhone 5s models come with a 7-10 business day ship time right out of the gate. These things are going to be in limited quantity for a while, folks.
iPhone 5c available for pre-order now; iPhone 5s ordering and sales details announced
It's Friday the 13th, and that can mean only one thing... it's time to pre-order your iPhone 5c! The pre-order button is working on the Apple iPhone 5c page, meaning that you can pick your color, your carrier and all of the other details in preparation for delivery to your door next Friday, September 20. MacRumors is reporting that iPhone 5c ship dates have already slipped to one to two weeks for customers in Hong Kong, with other countries showing delivery on September 20. However, if you have the hots for a bright yellow 5c, you'll have to wait a bit. It appears that at least one model -- the 16 GB Yellow (GSM) Unlocked iPhone 5c -- is showing a delay until September 25 for delivery. Holding out for an iPhone 5s? You'll have to wait until 12:01 AM PDT / 3:01 AM EDT on September 20 to put in your order. Apple Stores will reportedly open at 8 AM local time on September 20 for those of you who wish to get your hands on that sleek gold iPhone first thing in the morning. While that means that we won't have to wait in line all day in front of an Apple Store to buy a 5s, it also sadly means that we'll be in lines all night... [via BGR]
Apple ID now required to set Genius Bar appointment online
Apple has implemented a slight, but significant change to the way it books Genius Bar appointments online. Now folks wishing to make such an appointment must have a working Apple ID and password. Previously, users could simply enter in basic identifiable information like their name and email address in order to set up an appointment. TechCrunch adds some insight as to the reasoning behind the recent change: An additional reason for this change, we understand, is to give the control of a Genius Bar appointment to a user directly, who must know their credentials and enter them before being able to confirm a payment. There is also the convenience of having a customer's data automatically filled out with a simple entry of the Apple ID. This could allow Geniuses to look [up] past purchases and communicate with the user much easier now as well.
The Apple Store is down
Heel even geduld -- the Apple Store is down. No big surprise as Apple is holding its iPhone event later today in Cupertino. We expect the company to unveil its iPhone 5S and a new iPhone 5C model. It'll be a wild day, so hold on tight and follow our liveblog for all the news as it happens.
Three days into NYC iPhone wait, SellYourMac reps begin live feed
With the 5th Avenue Apple Store as their backdrop, representatives from Cincinnati-based SellYourMac are prepared for the long haul. We caught up with the two intrepid (and perhaps slightly loopy) linesitters; our video interview is below. Jon Murphy and co-worker Justin from SYM arrived two days ago from Cincinnati to mostly good weather and a warm reception from New York tourists who flock to the Apple Store, the FAO Schwartz toy store behind it and Central Park across the street. The news of their being not-quite-the-first-two people in line made the blog rounds on Friday. The company was founded in 2006, and we've reported on them being a resource for selling your iPhone in the past. They've been out to Macworld and other conferences, but this is their first trek to New York. I stopped by and chatted with Jon while Justin was out getting supplies. The buddy system allows them to take breaks and do the important things any New York visitors do: see the sights, including the 9/11 memorial. They do have a place they can retreat to for breaks, which allows them to grab a shower and clean clothes. But the majority of the time is spent in the two folding chairs outside the store. Jon said they slept in the chairs the first night but were allowed by police to unroll their sleeping bags on the sidewalk the second night. "We really haven't had any ... odd interactions," Jon said. "People have been very nice. They come up and ask why we're here. No one has really bothered us at night." What about the carriage rides? Hawkers enticing people to take carriage rides through Central Park swarm that area. How many are they asked to take? "We've actually been asked to help them, believe it or not," Jon said. The hawkers are hoping that Jon and Justin will urge people to take the carriage rides. And what will they do with the phones once they have them? Speculation has been that the company will make a profit off them, but Jon says they'll be used at SellYourMac. Out of the assorted rumors, he said that the one most likely to come true is that it'll be a 5S instead of an iPhone 6, and that there will be an iPhone 5C. They're planning to tough it out until the 20th, which is the expected on-sale date for the phone. However, they've heard that there's a chance the iPhone could be released on the 17th, reducing the wait by three days. You can follow Jon and Justin's Twitter accounts as they relay their observations from the line. They will be doing a live feed starting at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday the 8th, and our video interview is below.
New Stanford Apple Store opening this Saturday at 10 AM
Apple has announced that its new Stanford store in Palo Alto will have its grand reopening this Saturday, September 7 at 10 AM. The new store has been completely redesigned and features three floor-to-ceiling glass walls at its new ground-level location. ifoAppleStore tweeted the above picture of the finished design. Previously, the Stanford store in the Stanford Shopping Center was one of the few remaining mini-stores in the country. The new design brings it up to flagship status and is sure to be a retail beacon in a city that is so entwined in the tech industry.
Apple's iPhone trade-in program goes live
Apple has officially launched its iPhone trade-in program we reported on earlier this week. Users can take their iPhone's to any Apple Store in the US and exchange their old device for credit towards a new model. The program has been active in a small number of test stores over the past few weeks, but this is the first time it has been nationally available. The phones have to be in good working order, meaning water damage is a deal-breaker and a cracked screen will lower the amount you're given. Depending on the condition of your device and which era it's from, you could receive up to US$250 in trade-in credit towards a new phone, but just a new phone. Unfortunately one of the stipulations of the trade-in program is it can only be used towards the purchase of a new iPhone, complete with a new contract. So if you want to trade in that old 3G for credit towards a new AirPort, you are out of luck. Apple is launching this program in advance of their impending new product announcements on September 10, where the next generation of iPhones are rumored to debut. TechCrunch was given the following statement regarding today's program launch: iPhones hold great value. So, Apple Retail Stores are launching a new program to assist customers who wish to bring in their previous-generation iPhone for reuse or recycling. In addition to helping support the environment, customers will be able to receive a credit for their returned phone that they can use toward the purchase of a new iPhone. However, before you run out to your nearest Apple store, you may want to shop around. As of right now, trade-in giant Gazelle is offering significantly more cash for an iPhone 5 16GB than the Apple Store. However, you wont get help transferring your information to your new phone if you trade-in at Gazelle. These are all important options to consider before making your final decision.
Apple's iPhone trade-in program hits its retail stores today (updated)
Well folks, it seems the rumblings we heard earlier this week were indeed true. CNBC has confirmed that Apple's iPhone trade-in program -- officially labled the iPhone Reuse and Recycling Program -- is starting up in the outfit's retail stores today. According to 9to5Mac, trade-ins will be offered for iPhone 3G up to the iPhone 5 with customers receiving a gift card for the determined value of their devices. Phones will then be handed over to BrightStar for recycling. It's worth noting that these number fluctuate, so there's no way of accurately calculating what a local shop will offer up. Of course, timing is everything, and folks looking to recoup some funds ahead of the anticipated iPhone 5S announcement now have an option. Update: We reached out to Apple on the matter and here's the response: "iPhones hold great value. So, Apple Retail Stores are launching a new program to assist customers who wish to bring in their previous-generation iPhone for reuse or recycling. In addition to helping support the environment, customers will be able to receive a credit for their returned phone that they can use toward the purchase of a new iPhone."
Apple reportedly planning new Apple Store for Japan
It's been seven years since the last Apple Store in Japan opened, odd considering the technical bent of the country's inhabitants and the fact that the first international Apple Store was located in Japan. Now ifoAppleStore is reporting that another store may be on the way to Tokyo by early 2014. The new store is reportedly planned for the Omotoesando shopping district, just a short walk from the existing Shibuya store pictured at the top of this post. ifoAppleStore notes that there are several possible reasons for the slow expansion of Apple retail in Japan. Revenue growth in the country through channels other than the Apple Stores has been slower than in other parts of the world, and Mac sales in particular have been essentially flat in Japan for 15 years while soaring in the rest of the world. ifoAppleStore also points out the country has the second largest number of residents per Apple Store at 18.14 million residents per store. The US, by comparison, has 1.24 million residents per Apple Store. The addition of the new Omotoesando Apple Store may be just the thing to help jump-start Apple's sales in Japan.
Apple to begin selling devices to customers who wish to bring them to Iran
Apple will begin selling its Mac and iOS products to customers who wish to take them into Iran, reports the Wall Street Journal. Previously there had been a US government ban on any electronics manufacturer selling products to customers intent on taking them back to the country, but the Obama administration has recently lifted those sanctions in the hopes of getting technology to Iranian citizens after a crackdown by the Iranian government on protesters and the means they use to communicate, including devices that allow them to spread the word on social media. Last year, people unfamiliar with the US sanctions assumed Apple chose not to sell to Iranian customers who told Apple Store employees they meant to ship purchases back to their families in Iran. Regarding the lifting of the US sanctions, and Apple spokesperson told the WSJ: "We've been told by the US government that most Apple products are covered by regulatory changes announced by the Treasury Department. As a result, Apple is no longer banned from selling Macs and iOS devices to customers who plan to bring or send those products to Iran." Though electronics companies are no longer banned for selling products to Iranian citizens who wish to take them back home, those companies are still banned from selling products to the Iranian government.
Apple iPhone 'Reuse and Recycle' program starts this week in select stores
If competition is good for consumers, then the phone trade-in market is looking up. Best Buy, Walmart, Gazelle and your mobile provider all accept trade-ins on old iPhones, giving you money to upgrade to a new phone. Now Apple is launching its own trade-in program at select Apple Stores starting on August 30, with a larger expansion of the program coming in September. Regardless of whether you're a business or standard customer, if you want to purchase a new iPhone, your trade-in is welcome at Apple. 9to5mac.com published the following details about the program. Apple decides the value of your iPhone based on information entered into the standard EasyPay system. The system takes into account the quality of your phone -- button quality, damage, if the display is scratched, if you engraved "I love Slayer" on the back, etc. -- and then calculates your trade-in amount. Apple Store employees will help you back up your iPhone before turning it in, and will hand over your old SIM card (the iPhone 5 uses the new nano-SIM card format). iPhones of all generations are eligible for trade-in, though obviously you'll receive less money for an iPhone 3G than an iPhone 5. As of now, the program is only available in the United States. You may want to shop around a bit before heading to the Apple Store, though. As 9to5mac.com has noted Gazelle offers significantly more for a iPhone 5 16 GB than Apple's own store. The online trade-in destination has been working hard to get as much iPhone business as possible before the September 10 announcement of new Apple products.
Apple's revised plans for San Francisco store save historic fountain
Apple has provided the City of San Francisco with revised plans for its forthcoming flagship store, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Earlier this year Apple proposed to move its Stockton Street store to the Union Square shopping district. However, plans necessitated the demolition of a historic fountain, which created an uproar among area residents. The new proposal calls for the fountain to be moved about eight feet from its current location, rather than demolishing it. The new plans also feature a revised glass wall along Post Street and an eight-foot glass window in front of Stockton Street. Apple spokesperson Amy Bessette told the San Francisco Chronicle, "We've been working with the City of San Francisco as they review our ideas for an Apple Store on Union Square. Our latest design includes a store with more natural light and a plaza on Stockton Street that includes the fountain by Ruth Asawa, just a few feet away from its current location." Though the revised plans have met with acceptance among locals and government officials, they still need to be vetted fully before being approved by the city. [Flickr image by Ray Bouknight]
Former Levi Strauss & Co. executive Enrique Atienza joins Apple's retail team
9to5Mac is reporting that Apple recently poached former Levi Strauss executive Enrique Atienza to join its retail team. Atienza will reportedly join Apple as a director for the company's US retail operations. A source says that Atienza will be the director of all retail matters for many regions within the West Coast of the United States, and this role is one of the highest ranking retail positions inside of Apple. Several internal and external candidates were considered for the position, but the external Atienza is said to have been the best fit. While Atienza has already signed on with Apple, he is yet to actually begin his management role. He will officially start in October. Bear in mind that this is not the Senior VP of Retail position originally held by Ron Johnson and later by John Browett. That search remains ongoing, and last we heard, Apple is looking to hire someone with a tremendous amount of retail experience at the international level. As for Atienza, he spent the last three years at Levi Strauss after a nearly 10-year stint at Walt Disney where he held a number of retail-oriented positions. During Atienza's tenure at Levi Strauss, his position was that of "Senior Vice President Retail Americas and Global Store Operations and Training COE." According to Atienza's LinkedIn profile -- which confirms that he now works for Apple -- his responsibilities at Levi encompassed the following: Leads the retail strategic development and execution to ensure that revenue, productivity, level 1 profitability and customer experience goals are achieved within the Americas region. Leads company own stores and franchise management for the Americas region, and asset/execution controls for license & distributorships. Develop strategic direction and lead pan brand stores, store operations, training, maintenance, construction, real estate and merchandising in the Americas region. With rumors pointing to Apple to shipping two new iPhone models this fall, Atienza will likely have to hit the ground running, especially in light of reports that Apple is hoping to increase the percentage of iPhone sales that occur at Apple retail stores.
Lego Apple Store's attention to detail is incredibly impressive (with new detail photos)
About two weeks ago we covered a rather impressive replica of an Apple retail store comprised entirely with Legos. The project was the handiwork of Jon Lazar and he recently updated his website with internal photos of his Apple-inspired Lego creation. To say that Lazar pays attention to the details would be an understatement. Take a look at some of the internal shots below. Lazar has many more photos up on his website that are worth checking out, but these should satiate your Lego/Apple fix for now. If you look closely at the iPhones above, you can tell that the displays include what appear to be rounded rectangles. Very impressive. It also appears that members of the Village People are checking out iPhones on the upper right.
Apple Stores to push Macs for business, via Parallels Desktop and Windows 8
It's always been difficult for Apple to sell the Mac as a business machine, especially in the enterprise where Windows is king. Now 9to5Mac is reporting that Apple Stores will soon be equipped with a 27" iMac running Parallels Desktop and Windows 8, just to demonstrate to business buyers that anything that can be done on a Windows machine can be done on a Mac. In contrast to Apple's longtime "Mac vs. PC" ad campaign, which sought to convince PC users to drop Windows for Mac, the new initiative is targeting businesses by pointing out how Macs can be used side-by-side with Windows PCs in the office. Any applications that are Windows-only can be run under Parallels Desktop, while native Mac versions of many other apps bring the ease of use of the platform to any office. The timing of the new initiative is perfect, with a number of new and more powerful Macs rumored to be coming this fall. Apple's redesigned Mac Pro, which is being touted in special teasers in movie theaters across the country, is definitely in the pipeline for a fall delivery, while new versions of the MacBook Pro and iMac running Intel's powerful Haswell CPU are expected as well.
