Happy Birthday, Apple Retail

It was on this date in 2001 that Apple launched what was at the time a huge gamble: their first retail store opened in Tyson's Corner, Virginia. I was there. I wasn't in line for the opening, but despite arriving mid-afternoon, I still got a Tyson's Corner Apple Store t-shirt. Little did I know about a year later, I'd be working in an Apple retail store.

While there are many personal memories to share, and of course and analysis of the future plans for the stores in order, for now, let's just take a trip back, as Steve Jobs himself takes on tour of the Apple store just prior to opening. As a point of reference, bear in mind this all happened pre-iPod, in a far-off time where something called OS 9 ruled the Apple world, and OS X (beta) was just getting "lickable."

An Email From Apple Can Ruin The Holidays

You've gone to the Apple Store, and you've purchased that special someone a surprise gift. Let's say an iPod. Imagine your surprise when you arrive home to discover that person already knows you bought it. How? Because Apple emailed them.

Below is a screenshot from an email our tipster recently received after buying an iPod. Problem is no one at the Apple store mentioned there would be an email, or asked if it was a gift. Apparently due to the credit card used to purchase the iPod being previously linked to an email address, Apple sent out the email. Some families, especially those who share music libraries, might use a shared email address.

Maybe Apple could lay off on the purchase-based emails until January...

screenshot of email sent to the purchaser (and potentially the receiver)

TDL Live This Week: (11/23 - 11/30)

It's a gem of a show this week. Hey, maybe we should always take a week off first. We've got a look at all the Apple news from the app store to hackintosh, a well as a look at all the rest of the week's Apple news. Oh, and we had to get our censors all in a huff, and bleep an itsy bitsy part of the show. It's a slow week at work anyhow right? So why not enjoy TDL Live right now:

Don't forget you can subscribe to TDL Live through iTunes!

Shop at Your Apple Store, Without The Crowds: Reserve a Product

Stores like Circuit City (hmm, maybe not the best example) have had programs allowing you to order an item online, then pick it up in store. For a company known for being on the cusp of trends, Apple hasn't entered the in-store pickup game, until now. And even now, it's quite a tentative step.

From Dec. 15th to the 24th, you can reserve a product from the comfort of your home, then pick it up at your local Apple Store. Beyond the limited dates, there are a few other caveats, namely that only a select group of merchandise is eligible for the program. Specifically, computers and iPods are available, while third party items, and Apple's own magic mouse, AppleTV etc are missing from the list.

Traditionally, the policy at most Apple stores has been to hold an item if someone called for it, for up to 24 hours. No word on whether that will continue while this program is in place. Also unlike the Circuit City pickup concept (again, Apple probably doesn't want to copy what they did too closely) you do not pay for the Apple items until you pick them up.

This isn't a bad addition for the customer, but I feel bad for my former Apple retail compadres who will have to deal with a sea of back of house, waiting for pickup, merchandise. According to the reservation system, you can pick up your item(s) anytime in the Dec. 15-24th window, meaning the item won't be unheld until the 25th. You don't want dozens of iPods sitting on the shelf, never getting picked up if people actually in the store want to buy them. Heck, Apple should watch out for millions of iMacs being reserved by say, a certaiin Redmond company that then doesn't pick them up...

Also, while it's clearly designed to help cut down on the lines and waiting at the store, it seems like a dangerous time to roll out such an initiative. A slow October roll out may have given them a chance to work out the kinks before the holiday onslaught.

If you know what you want, and it's on the list of eligible items, then by all means give it a shot, and be sure to tell us about your experience.

Breaking News: Microsoft Doesn't Get It

As we mentioned last night on TDL Live, it's been reported that Microsoft has been contacting Apple retail employees, particularly managers to offer positions within Microsoft's own new retail stores.

It's one thing to ape the design of the store, to take something like the genius bar, and rename it the "guru bar." Heck, it's a lot like the "recycling bin" instead of the trash can. It's quite another thing if Microsoft seriously believes they can hire anyone of any merit away from Apple retail and into their stores.

(First a reminder/disclaimer that everyone here at TDL has worked for Apple in some retail capacity at some point.) People working at the Apple store generally fall into four categories: Apple evangelists, summer job seekers, teachers, and creative pros between gigs. Which one of these groups would be willing to go turncoat on Apple, let alone uproot their lives to work at a Microsoft retail store? Sure, getting someone higher up the food chain, like Ron Johnson (head of Apple retail) would be a coup, but that's not going to happen. The best you could hope for are some regional managers who don't feel comfortable at Apple because they come from other retail store background, or a few people who have had a bad experience working at Apple, and want to get some measure of revenge.

Again, which one of these two groups makes for a great staff? If you want retail managers who don't fit the Apple mold, just cut out the middleman, and look to other retailers. If you're seeking out those looking for revenge, do you really think it'll be long before they turn on Microsoft too?

Redmond has to learn that people are not programs or features, or icons. They are living, breathing things with emotions and common sense.

And really, that's all you need to see this is a really stupid idea.