MacRumors and Heylookitsseric are both claiming Apple will be updating their Apple Store app to allow customers self-service checkout for off-the-shelf items like iPhone and iPad cases at Apple Retail.

Apple is also updating its own Apple store app on iPhone/iPod to incorporate EasyPay that allows customers to check themselves out for accessories purchases. EasyPay is the same platform Apple employees use to complete those in-store credit card purchases. Since higher priced Apple products are all stocked up in the backroom, you’ll still have to find the help of an employee. Expect the update in a few days on November 3rd, just in time for the holidays.

Hopefully Apple and their customers are both nerdier and more competent than those at my local grocery store or turn self-serve into an ordeal far beyond any staff-driven transaction. "Beep. Put the item down." "I did." Beep.Put the item down." "I DID!" "BEEP! Y U NO PUT ITEM DOWN!" "HULK SMASH PUNY MACHINE!" And, well, we all know how that ends.

IN addition to in-store pick up of online orders, which Apple has also begun experimenting with in San Francisco, they're also reportedly looking into shipping to multiple address on Apple Online to make gift-giving easier than ever.

In this day and age, when other online retailers like Future Shop make it so onerous and restrictive you don't even want to order from them anymore, it's nice to see Apple trying to offer more, not less, and shift the transactional burden off the customer where it never belonged.

Let's hope it works out for everyone because either way we're in for an interesting Black Friday and holiday shopping season.

Source: MacRumors, Heylookitseric

Ever since Apple rolled out their iPod touch based EasyPay POS to some of it's retail stores they have been flooded with inquires from other retailers looking to get in on the Apple goodness. It was just a a few short weeks ago that certain Apple retail stores ditched their crash prone Windows CE + stylus based EasyPay point-of-sale devices and since then it has raised the curiosity of other retailers.

"Since the debut of the iPod POS, inquires have been coming from all directions, including from end-user small businesses, larger chains and system integrators. Until now, Apple’s response has been that the iPod POS is a proprietary product, unavailable for sale," Allen said. "But now, tipsters say, Apple retail executives have asked the retail store business specialists to collect contact information from anyone who inquires about the iPod touch system, apparently to create a database of potential customers if Apple decides to commercialize the product."

The EasyPay POS system is capable of handling all cash, credit, and debit transactions along with some product returns. Would this be an Apple-like move to sell this device for other retailers to use? Sound off in the comments!

[Via AppleInsider]

< AppleInsider has a great, exclusive look from ifoAppleStore at the new iPod touch-based EasyPay system Apple Retail Stores are set to roll out, replacing their old WindowsCE gear.

Those who have seen the system for processing credit card, debit card and cash purchases, dubbed "EasyPay touch," said it combines iPod touch features with a magnetic stripe reader, advanced barcode scanner and Apple-written software to speed plastic and cash transactions.

It definitely bulks up Steve's ultra-thin portable, but it's no doubt refreshingly modern technology -- and Apple's own -- going into the hands of employees. Check it out via the link above and let us know what you think.

Looks like the rumors were true and Apple is finally set to replace the aging, WindowsCE + stylus based EasyPay point-of-sale devices used by the retail store staff with sexy new credit card reading, barcode scanning iPod touches. Apple will be using the same accessory access APIs supplied to developers in the iPhone 3.0 SDK.

AppleInsider reports that a trial is now being run at the closest Apple Store to the Cupertino Headquarters, the Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara, but hopefully the rest of Apple Retail will be able to enjoy the cool new gadgets sometime in the near future as well.

IFOAppleStore confirms the switch to iPod touch EasyPay, and adds that Apple will also be ditching the color-coded shirts used to distinguish different types of staff. (Not because Microsoft iCloned them but because they were ultimately more confusing than helpful to customers).

[Small print: The above video is of Apple Store staff cheering for a new store opening, not for their new iPod touch EasyPay systems]