Apple Store

App Store ‘Kids’ category launches

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 16, 2022

Following a storm of criticism by disgruntled parents and after being forced to refund tens of thousands of dollars in individual cases of kids inadverntendly ratcheting up their parents’ iTunes bill with in-app purchases (here's how to turn these off), Apple finally caved in.

Thursday morning, the company has unveiled a new 'Kids' category on the App Store. Designed to give parents a piece of mind, the new sections hosts a selection of carefully curated apps for children. Apps are sorted thematically in sub-sections such as 'Create & Play' and 'Shapes & Colors' and shortcuts to apps that are 'Best for Ages 5 & Under', 'Best for Ages 6-8' and 'Best for Ages 9-11'...

Apple Stores to demo Touch ID using a dedicated app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

When the iPhone 5s launches this Friday, Apple's retail employees will be showing off the new Touch ID fingerprint reading functionality to prospective customers using a dedicated app designed especially for this purpose, a new report Monday claimed. The feature, stemming from last year's acquisition of Israeli biometric experts AuthenTenc, uses the fingerprint sensor embedded into the iconic Home button to unlock the handset with a touch of your finger and approved purchases on Apple's content stores...

iPhone 5s online orders to start at 12.01am PST on September 20

Sébastien Page ∙ September 13, 2013

The iPhone 5c might already be available for pre-order, but for some reason, Apple will not let you pre-order the flagship iPhone 5s. We speculated why, but we'll probably never know for sure the reasoning behind this decision.

If it's been clear since this week's event that the iPhone 5s would be available in store on the 20th, the exact time hadn't been made official until today, when Apple sent an email to customers saying the iPhone would be available for order online at 12.01am PST (3am EST)...

Apple tweaks Genius Bar reservation policies to deter scalpers

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Remember how devious Chinese scalpers adopted a new tactics and grabbed all of the available Apple Store Genius Bar appointment slots to make a quick buck by selling them for real money online?

Guess what? Apple took notice of the trend, too! In order to thwart scalpers, Apple now requires an Apple ID to book an appointment with a retail store Genius.

Previously, making an appointment was as easy as picking a desired store on the Apple Retail website and choosing a session. The company only required your first/last name and email address, which opened door to misuse...

How secret China flights bring iPhones to Apple Stores

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 12, 2013

Apple's fine-tuned supply chain is legendary, but we are just now getting a glimpse into its inner workings. As supply side wonk turned CEO Tim Cook Tuesday unveiled a new line of iPhones, an intriguing report revealed the coordination required to get the handsets to your local Apple store.

Using mammoth chartered jets and schedules so elaborate they almost make D-Day seem like a Girl Scouts delivery route, iDevices designed in California and built in China arrive in the US without a second to spare. A former FedEx executive likens it all to a Hollywood movie premiere...

The line starts forming outside Apple’s landmark Fifth Avenue glass cube store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 14, 2016

Like every year, this year's iPhone launch is expected to be the biggest ever for the Cupertino, California firm. Unlike past years, however, 2013 is the first time Apple gets to release two new iPhones simultaneously, one a so-called S-upgrade to the existing iPhone 5 and the other essentially an iPhone 5 with a less-pricey polycarbonate plastic case.

This change in tactics and the resulting flurry of media coverage appears to have renewed interest in the Apple smartphone. And while we're certainly not expecting lines to stretch around whole blocks like in 2007, campers are already lining up outside Apple's flagship glass cube store on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue...

Apple Stores offering discounts on select accessories this month

Cody Lee ∙ August 7, 2013

Apple Retail Stores are offering discounts on select in-store third-party accessories this month, according to a new report. The promotion began August 1st and runs through August 31, and it includes a handful of high-end audio products.

Among the discounted accessories are select Beats by Dre headphones and speakers, which are 10% off, and Jawbone's Big JAMBOX Bluetooth speaker, which is $50 off. And a new deal on Bose QuietComfort headphones starts next week...

Apple only considering outside candidates for new SVP of Retail

Cody Lee ∙ August 1, 2013

During its major executive shakeup last fall, Apple announced that its newly-hired SVP of Retail John Browett would be leaving the company. The move wasn't surprising, as Browett had come under heavy fire from the media following drastic retail strategy changes.

What is surprising, though, is that here we are, almost a year later, and Apple hasn't filled the job yet. But a new report from The Wall Street Journal this afternoon helps shine some light on the situation, saying the company just simply hasn't found the right fit yet...

Apple promotes upcoming no-tax holidays for iDevice shoppers

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Are you a U.S. resident looking for a reason to buy an Apple device, but hate that chunk of change taxes consume? Apple is joining other retailers promoting a "tax-holiday" period aimed at goosing back-to-school sales. Some ten states are now participating in the annual event, usually due August 2-4.

Apple's website now informs consumers it will remove sales tax from items purchased, the timeframe depending on in which state buyers live...

Former Apple store employees file lawsuits over lost wages due to bag searches

Cody Lee ∙ July 29, 2013

Former employees at Apple stores in both New York and Los Angeles have filed a class action suit against the Cupertino company, claiming the iPad-maker owes them lost wages. The filing alleges that Apple forced them to stand in line for up to 30 minutes, without pay, every shift and wait for a manager to search their bags.

The lawsuit was filed by Amanda Frlekin, who was employed at Apple’s Century City location in Los Angeles, and Dean Pelle, who worked at Apple's prestigious Soho store in New York. Both worked as specialists until this spring, and are now looking to sue on behalf of thousands of Apple workers across the United States...

Chinese scalpers now selling Genius Bar appointments online

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Scalpers stop at nothing to make a few bucks off Apple's popularity around the world, and especially in the 1.33 billion people market that is China. As you know, large-scale buyers are known for paying scalpers to stand overnight in snaking queues and buy Apple devices in bulk to resell at a premium.

According to a report Monday, scalpers now have a new innovative technique: they are booking up all available Genius Bar appointments in Apple's retail stores in China for the purposes of selling these slots online...

Apple to distribute free iBooks to employees ahead of Mavericks, iOS 7 Launch

Cody Lee ∙ July 29, 2013

Apple will begin providing its Apple Store employees with free iBooks titles next week as part of a new 'iBooks Discovery' program. According to a new report, the company announced the initiative at its quarterly retail meetings, which took place over the weekend.

The move is said to be part of an effort to get retail staffers more familiar with both the iBookstore and the iBooks app ahead of the arrival of iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks this fall. Apple is reportedly looking to make a heavy retail push for both operating systems...