With just hours to go until Apple kicks off its big Peek Performance event, the Apple Store has predictably closed its virtual doors.
“Be right back” reads the message that greets visitors who attempt to purchase anything through the company’s website this morning. When it returns, we expect a whole bunch of new additions, including an iPhone SE with 5G.
Apple is dropping the requirement for most of its corporate employees to wear masks, but there are still limitations. And the company has begun allowing some of its retail employees to take off their face mask at Apple Stores.
The policy change takes place as the surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant is essentially over.
Apple today confirmed that it will resume in-person “Today at Apple” events in the United States. Beginning March 7, customers will be able to visit their local Apple Store to “explore the art of remixing with GarageBand” — and Lady Gaga.
The events were stopped two years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also forced most Apple stores to close. “We can’t wait to welcome more of our communities back to our stores,” said Apple retail chief Deirdre O’Brien.
Apple has stopped selling its products in Russia as the country’s war on Ukraine stretches on. The Mac-maker is taking other steps as well, like removing the state-backed news applications RT and Sputnik from the App Store.
“We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Apple said Tuesday in a statement. “We are supporting humanitarian efforts, providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis, and doing all we can to support our teams in the region.”
Apple previewed its “dramatic” new Al Maryah Island store in Abu Dhabi Thursday, showcasing design elements never seen before at Apple stores, as well as special programs.
The retail location opens Friday at 5 p.m. United Arab Emirates time.
Apple thanked police in Amsterdam on Wednesday for their “exceptional work” after a “terrifying” hostage situation unfolded at a local Apple store.
An armed man in a balaclava stormed Apple Leidseplein on Tuesday, and a bystander was taken and held at gunpoint. After several hours, police stopped the gunman by hitting him with a car as he tried to flee.
Apple reportedly stopped requiring face masks at most of its retail locations. The move comes as the latest COVID-19 surge comes to an end.
In addition, in-person Today at Apple classes will resume soon.
Workers at some Apple Stores are reportedly planning to unionize. Employees are two stores are close to filing paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board and more are moving in that direction.
They say their goal is a larger share of Apple’s huge profits.
Apple retail store employees are getting more time off. Both sick days and vacation days. This is part of improving the benefits for those who works in the Mac-maker’s brick-and-mortar locations.
The changes come as lots of employers find themselves competing for quality applicants in a tight job market.
A couple of scofflaws broke into an Australian Apple Store and made of with thousands of dollars in computers. But the hapless burglars — allegedly including a 16-year-old boy — were soon tracked down by police.
They got caught because they apparently made nearly every possible mistake.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Leaks, rumors and government filings give us an even clearer look at what Apple’s product pipeline looks like for 2022. We’re expecting big changes to the pro Mac lineups this year — including a hybrid Apple “Frankenchip” based on the M1 series.
Also on The CultCast:
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
The U.S. Apple Store for Education reversed a recent change Friday, dropping the requirement that shoppers prove they are a university student or teacher before they can get products at a discount. This surely comes as a relief for home-school teachers. But it’s also good news for anyone willing to fib to get a discount.
It’s not clear if this is a temporary rollback or a permanent change, though.
The U.S. Apple Store for Education now requires shoppers to prove they are a university student or teacher before they can get products at a discount. Before now, it essentially operated on the honor system, which was a giant loophole.
After the change, shoppers can’t even see the discounted prices without getting verified first.
Update: Apple flip-flopped on this change. Read more in, “Apple’s educational discount ‘loophole’ is back!“
Scrambling to get last-minute gifts ahead of the holidays? Apple’s got your back with free two-hour delivery now available on many products — including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch — in select cities across the U.S.
The promotion, which starts today, is available until December 24. But, as you’ve probably guessed, it’s only available on items that are in stock.
A growing number of Covid 19 cases has reportedly forced Apple to reinstate the face mask mandate at all its U.S. retail locations.
The Mac-maker had begun relaxing the mask requirement in the fall when cases were dropping. But Apple has now reversed course because of a surge.
Get into the festive spirit by making it snow inside the Apple Store app while you do some last-minute shopping. Apple has once again added this cool animation Easter egg, which you can activate in an instant, ahead of the holidays.
Here’s how it works.
To mark World AIDS Day, Apple celebrated 15 years of fighting AIDS with Product Red on Wednesday. The company also outlined new ways customers can support its ongoing efforts — like buying Red versions of iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7.
Through December 6, Apple will donate $1 to the Global Fund for every purchase made with Apple Pay at an Apple Store, through the Apple Store online and in the Apple Store app.
Struggling to get hold of one of Apple’s newest devices ahead of the holidays? InventoryWatch is a free and simple Mac app that sends you an alert when the gear you want is in stock and available for pick up at your local Apple Store.
It currently works in the United States and five other countries and regions. And it tracks availability of a handful of Apple’s most popular devices.
Apple is offering customers up to $200 back in Apple Store gift cards when they buy eligible products this Black Friday. Its four-day shopping event runs from November 26, and you can enjoy in in-store, online, and over the phone.
Find out what you’ll get back on certain products right here.
The latest update to the Apple Store app adds a brand-new “lists” feature that makes it easier to keep track of all the things you want.
You can then share and discuss your lists with in-store Specialists, Apple says — then get a recap of your conversation sent to the app so it’s easy to find later. Lists also make it faster to buy what you want when you’re ready to check out.
The Apple Holiday Gift Guide 2021 is out with suggestions for phones, computers, audio accessories and exercise gear for a variety of people on your shopping list.
As a bonus, Apple is offering downloadable templates to make personalized holiday cards.
Starting Friday, many people will be able to visit a U.S. Apple Store without wearing a mask. It’s not a universal change — an Apple company memo that leaked out indicates that removing the mask requirement depends on “vaccinations, testing, and case counts” in the area of each retail store.
Reportedly, about a third of stores will see the change. But that’s only the start.
Apple’s extended holiday return policy is now in effect for all purchases made through the Apple Store online. Goods received between November 1 and December 25, 2021 can be returned through January 8, 2022.
There are some exceptions shoppers should be aware of, however.
Apple said its new Apple Bağdat Caddesi — its latest Apple Store — opens Friday in Istanbul, Turkey. It marks the Cupertino tech giant’s third retail location in the country. With the opening comes the debut of a special Today at Apple program and an exclusive augmented reality (AR) exhibition.
Shop at the Apple Store with an Apple Card and you’ll reportedly get double the usual cash back. There has been no announcement, but unconfirmed reports indicate that the usual 3% Daily Cash back jumped to 6%.
This same deal was offered back in 2019.