The new LaCie Mobile SSD Secure will be an Apple Store exclusive. Photo: LaCie
Storage provider LaCie has rolled out two new portable solid state drives (SSDs), including one model offered exclusively at the Apple Store in space gray to match Apple gear. Apple will offer it later this month.
The iPhone Upgrade Program gets you a new model every year. Graphic: Cult of Mac
The iPhone Upgrade Program is Apple’s equivalent of a carrier’s monthly contract. You can upgrade your iPhone every year, and pay a monthly fee instead of buying the handset outright. The upgrade path is simple — there’s a new iPhone every year, and you can upgrade every year.
Here’s how to get ready so you can be ready for iPhone 13 preorders this Friday. Don’t wait until the last minute.
It's now even easier to give Apple your cash. Image: Apple
Preordering iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro tomorrow? Apple now gives you new ways to shop for its newest devices. Take advantage of additional pickup, payment, and delivery options, as well as carrier offers at Apple Retail stores.
The same options are also available for the new iPad and iPad mini, which are already up for preorder ahead of their debut on September 24.
Benjamin Franklin once wrote that nothing in this world is a certainty, “except death and taxes.” If he were alive today, he might add “and the Apple Store going down before a big keynote” to that list.
“Be right back” reads the message that greets visitors who attempt to purchase anything through Apple’s website this morning. When it returns, we expect a whole bunch of new additions, including iPhone 13.
Apple donations through August 29 plus content collections help celebrate 105 years of America's national parks. Photo: Austin Mann Photography/Apple
With the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) turning 105 years old, Apple said today it will donate $10 for purchases of its products from official sales points to the National Park Foundation (NPF) through August 29. The Cupertino tech giant will also share new ways for customers to learn about and celebrate America’s parks.
In 2021, there are no retail Apple Stores in India. Photo: Apple
Apple’s long struggle to open a retail store in India isn’t over yet. The iPhone-maker had planned to throw open the doors of a brick-and-mortar location in Mumbai in 2021, but it’s now reportedly been delayed by COVID-19.
It's now easier to find what you're shopping for. Images: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple on Tuesday rolled out a fresh new look for its online store, with a dedicated “Store” tab that makes everything easier to find. The company calls it “the best way to buy the products you love.”
The wait for a newest 12.9-inch iPad Pro is fairly short. But there is one if you buy it from Apple and most places. Photo: Apple
Those eager to get the 12.9-inch version of the 2021 iPad Pro still face a week+ wait when ordering from Apple. But the situation has improved — not too long ago, the wait stretched for a month or more.
Apple employees are gearing up to return to the office. Photo: Duncan Sinfield
Apple is gearing up to bring more employees back to the office. And that means taking measures to safeguard staff against COVID-19.
According to The Verge reporter Zoe Schiffer, Apple is requesting that employees disclose their current vaccination status with the company in some locations.
“Apple is asking our team members in certain locations to share their current vaccination status,” Apple’s guidance notes. “You can confidentially share whether you’re fully vaccinated, have had a partial dose, are not vaccinated, or do not wish to share.”
Periodically working from home could become a permanent part of Apple retail employees’ job. Photo: Apple
Apple is reportedly going to test a program that will have its Apple Store retail employees work from home some of the time. And no, that won‘t involve customers shopping in employees’ living rooms.
Many Angelenos on the hunt for Apple gear will recognize the historic theater's restored clocktower and sign. But the interior will blow them away. Photo: Apple
Apple previewed its newest retail location at the historic Tower Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. The company announced the store’s Thursday opening in conjunction with the launch of the Today at Apple Creative Studios global mentorship initiative for young creatives.
And wow, the new store looks like a real beauty. Apple called it “one of its most significant restoration projects to date.” That’s saying something. Just look at Rome. Or Bangkok. Or even the long-established Grand Central Station store in New York.
In Los Angeles, young creatives will receive mentorship from Grammy Award-winning producer Larrance “Rance” Dopson. Photo: Apple
Apple announced a new global initiative today called Today at Apple Creative Studios. It aims to provide career-building mentorship, creative-industry skills training, resources and access to Apple products to workers from underrepresented communities globally.
You’ll get the 2021 iPad Pro far quicker if you order it from somewhere other than Apple.com. Photo: Apple
The online Apple Store might not be the best place to buy the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Place an order for 2021’s hottest tablet on Apple.com on Wednesday and you could wait a month or more to have it shipped to you. But other stores have the device in stock now.
Wave goodbye to masks at some Apple Stores. Photo: Ivan Samkov/Pexels CC
If you’ve been dreaming of seeing the bottom half of people’s faces in Apple Stores (odd dream, admittedly!), you’ll get your wish starting this week as many Apple Stores in the U.S. begin loosening their mask requirements.
This comes as major retailers are increasingly getting back to normal as the coronavirus pandemic subsides. Apple has been one of the more cautious parties when it comes to in-store mask policies. The likes of Walmart, Trader Joe’s and Costco have already ditched mandatory mask rules. But Apple was said to be holding back.
Peek inside Rome's gorgeous new Apple Via del Corso store. Photo: Apple
As impressive as the sleekly minimalist, modernist Apple Stores are when they’re built from the ground up, there’s something dazzling about the company’s retail outlets that take over and restore classic buildings.
That second category certainly applies to Apple Via del Corso, which opens Thursday in the historic city of Rome. The 17th Apple Store in Italy, the new (well, old) structure is described by Apple as one of its “most significant restoration projects.”
That may be understating its appeal, too. Judging by the images, this could be the most spectacular Apple Store yet.
Many parts of the world are starting to emerge from coronavirus lockdown, with stores opening up and social distancing measures relaxing. But don’t expect to take off your mask to go into an Apple Store — whatever local advice suggests. This seemingly goes for both customers and retail employees.
According to Bloomberg, Apple will keep masks and other safety provisions in place for its stores as the company continues to “evaluate health and safety” measures. This comes shortly after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccinated individuals don’t need to wear a face mask in the majority of public settings.
One of the many iconic Apple Stores Gensler had a hand in. Photo: Apple
Art Gensler, the pioneering American architect who founded the world’s largest architectural firm and played a key role in the iconic look of Apple Stores, died Monday at the age of 85.
To try and distill Gensler’s career into “he helped create the Apple Store” is doing him a big disservice. His firm, founded in 1965, operates in 50 countries and produces an annual revenue of $1.5 billion. Nonetheless, for Apple fans, his work on Apple Stores is one of his many indelible contributions.
Demand for the 2021 iPad Pro far outstrips supply. Photo: Apple
Order the 12.9-inch version of the 2021 iPad Pro today and it won‘t arrive before late June. And maybe not until July. Apple started taking pre-orders for the first M1-powered tablet on Friday, and anyone who didn’t move quickly could wait almost 10 weeks for the device.
The delay is apparently caused by the new mini-LED screen.
You won't be able to say hello to all of them in store, though. Photo: Apple
The redesigned M1 iMac marks the first time in about 20 years that Apple will sell its desktop Macs in multiple color options. But don’t expect to find all of them on display in your local Apple Store.
According to a press release published Thursday by Apple, only the green, pink, blue and silver iMacs will be available through physical Apple Store locations. To get your hands on the orange, yellow and purple color options, you’ll have to order online.
Get your wallet ready for April 23. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
iPhone 12 and 12 mini will soon be available in a brand-new purple color option, alongside AirTag — Apple’s very first item tracker. You can preorder all three devices starting Friday, April 23, ahead of their release on April 30.
It’s no longer possible to buy a new iMac Pro from the online Apple Store. Photo: Apple
Two weeks after Apple discontinued the iMac Pro, the company pulled the powerful all-in-one desktop from its website Friday.
The computer hadn’t been updated in three years and there have been no reports of a new version in the works. This may be the last iMac Pro … just as it was the first.
I'm guessing Tim Cook would qualify for "favored customer" status. Photo: Apple
Apple store workers have a certain number of freebies they can use to “surprise and delight” unsuspecting customers, according to an ex-employee whose video about the supposed policy went viral.
“People would come in with like water-damaged phones and you’re not allowed to replace those without a fee,” TikTok user @Tanicornerstone says. “However, the geniuses used a ‘surprise and delight’ to be able to give somebody a free replacement.”
Pro tip: Customers who come off as jerks need not apply for such special treatment.
All 270 Apple retail stores in the United States opened on Monday. Many had been shuttered for months during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not any more.
This is a boon not only for shoppers but for those looking for repairs and tech support for their Mac, iPhone or other Apple gear. But don’t jump in the car quite yet.
Shopping for Apple gear in some Target stores across the U.S. will soon be an easier process. Photo: Mike Mozart/Flickr CC
Many Target stores will become better places to buy Macs, iPhones and other Apple products. In a deal announced Thursday, there’ll be twice as much space dedicated to the devices in these locations, and Target employees will get additional training on using them.