(Update: By the request of Apple’s legal department citing trade secrets, we’ve been asked to pull the images from this post.)
Screenshots of Apple’s new RetailMe application for internal iPads have surfaced today. Full of attractive new features, the software is expected to be the tool every Apple retail employee uses when ‘Apple Store 2.0’ goes live on Sunday.
RetailMe is a fancy new application which features Apple’s internal newspaper called ‘The Daily Download’. It will take over the current web-based version of the newspaper and is said to be “incredibly stylish and functional,” and greater than it was before.
In addition to RetailMe, internal iPads will kitted out with Apple Connect, Apple Directory, Concierge, Mobile Genius, iRepair, and interestingly a new Easy Pay application. Easy Pay is the system Apple currently uses to take your payments on an iPod touch.
‘Apple Store 2.0’ is set to launch this Sunday to celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary in retail. As well as a new and improved retail experience, Apple stores are expected to feature dedicated areas for “Startup Sessions,” iPads functioning as interactive product signs, new displays and sound systems, and possibly near-field communications payment technology.
RetailMe is set to be the iPad application at the heart of the revamped Apple store, and is expected to take over the iPod touches currently issued to each employee.
In addition to getting their hands on the RetailMe information, 9to5 Mac were also told by their sources that Apple store Macs will also be upgraded to Lion over the weekend:
The “gigs of data” for sunday, as far as I can tell from the general consensus around the store and some of my contacts is that we will infact be downloading OS X Lion images and installing on all FOH machines for a Sunday launch. Nothing else fits since all other visual content has already been pulled from the apple servers that we gather content from. Lion is the mutual feeling around the store, even from managers. Speaking of managers, they have been given a general idea about what is happening, but full details will be revealed to them on friday evening.
However, 9to5 Mac dismisses this information as pure speculation and suggests those “gigs of data” are more likely to be detailed instructions for the new store. You have to admit that it’s highly unlikely Apple introduce an unfinished operating system into its stores.
We have more screenshots on the next page.
