The Wall Street Journal has posted renderings of the proposed Apple Store for Grand Central Station. The pictures certainly appear to do this beautiful building justice and compliment its style and iconic image.
The MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) released some information on the proposed Apple Store which could open near the terminal’s east staircase, if approval is granted at tomorrow's meeting. Apple will start building works immediately, with a four month program of works; making an opening time of around late November or early December.
Ron Johnson, the man who helped Apple revolutionize retail with the Apple Stores, is leaving to take over the CEO spot at JC Penny. Apple has issued the following statement to All Things D:
“Ron is excited about this opportunity and we hope it goes well for him,” a spokesperson said. “We’ve got a great retail team in place and are actively recruiting for his replacement.”
And JC Penny states that Johnson isn't just taking over, he's taking on a large investment as well:
A couple of cheeky German guys decided to have a bit of fun this weekend by defacing the under construction Apple Store in Hamburg with a Windows logo.
Now before we get too upset by this, when we say deface it, it was more a bit of fun with no permanent lasting damage. Posing as a couple of construction workers, they climbed a ladder and pieced together a poor attempt at a Windows Logo.
In fact if you wanted to be really mean, you could say that this is an excellent deterrent to any would-be thieves! Take a look at the video after the break!
We kid you not -- a man described by security as wearing a white ninja suit crashed his car through the Greensboro Apple Store before fleeing on foot.
Greensboro police received a call around 4:43 a.m. after a dark gray or blue Honda crashed into the store. According to police, the man crashed into the store in a robbery attempt.
The store will remain closed today, of course, while they see to damages. (And perhaps look into hiring some samurai to increase security?)
Apple's Apple Store app has been updated to version 1.3 and brings with it some new features... even if it's still iPhone only.
Enhanced in-store mode lets you get help and support quickly when you’re at an Apple Retail Store.
The ability to custom-configure a new Mac with the options you want.
Unfortunately, they didn't update the icon. Let's hope a universal version is on its way. More screenshots after the break, and if you customize yourself a new Mac with the Apple Store app, let us know how it works for you.
UPDATE: It's showing up in the UK app store now, so it look like it is rolling out internationally.
UDPATE 2: We reached out to Apple PR and they told us it's US and EU only for now, more precisely:
Yesterday we updated the US version and launched the app in Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland).
Australia, being in the future, has just seen the debut of Apple Store 2.0, the recently rumored reboot that adds interactive iPads, among other things, to the retail experience. Talk about putting your tech where your money is.
Want to learn more about that MacBook Pro or iMac? Hit up the iPad next to it for feature specs, comparisons, explanations for those new to Apple, technical support, or summon an Apple specialist for additional help at the touch of a button. (I'm figuring the staff disables that little prank-in-the-waiting by end of business day 1).
As the rising sun hits more and more regions, we're hoping to learn more about the new Apple Retail, so if you spot anything at your local store, let us know!
My only question - do the iPads have interactive iPads to explain what you can do with the iPads, on iPads?
Update: Apparently, the iPads are encased in Carbonite tough, clear plastic.
Update 2: Video, see above.
Update 3: Apple sent a note along to employees, read it after the break. [9to5Mac]
Update 4: Just got back from checking out the new store displays. The app powering the iPads is very slick, with great animated popups (Pixar would be proud) that allow for very clean initial info pages with lots of additional details (like pricing) that can be access with a tap. Apparently Apple has more planned for this app as well, and being able to update both the app, as well as prices, specs, etc. without having to reprint paper every time is no doubt one of the motivators for this new system.
The plastic encasings are perfectly fit and pretty much weld the iPads to the table so you can't move them around. There's a proprietary connector (not the usual dock cable) powering the iPads. It's almost impossible to see. the Home buttons are disabled so you can't exit out of the display app.
There are also beautifully crafted new product identifiers in the center of the tables for iPad, iPod, iPhone, etc. Typically Apple, they're understated, elegant, and do just what they need to do without being fussy about it. (Jonathan Ive's insistence on design getting out of the way, no doubt.) Photos after the break.
Looks like Apple retail is getting new setups, including new iPad apps for their iPads, bringing their complement to Daily Download, RetailMe, Apple Connect, Apple Directory, Concierge, Mobile Genius, iRepair, and Easy Pay (the credit card processing app currently used on iPod touch).
Daily Download, which is a well-produced internal Daily ‘newspaper for employees’. It is incredibly stylish and functional and and much better than the previous web-based version that existed before.
It sounds like Apple really might be getting ready to upgrade their already stellar Apple Retail experience to version 2.0... just in time for their 10th anniversary. 9to5Mac thinks they have more details on just what the reboot might entail.
Over the Easter weekend, some of the cast of Disney’s Lemonade Mouth decided to turn up at the Apple Store in The Grove, Los Angeles and flash mob it. Flash mobbing is a newish craze that involves a group of people turning up at a location and performing an unusual act or performance without permission.
The routine, lead by Chris Brochu and Hayley Kiyoko, two of the film’s stars, organised the flash mob with 15 other friends and decided to capture the whole performance on video. They performed the song Determinate from the Disney Channel production Lemonade Mouth.
The video is after the break, take a look and enjoy the looks on the customers faces and Apple Store staff gently escorting them out of the building!
