The new Apple Store app is all set to go live on Thursday, according to reports, giving costumers much more choice when taking a walk in the goodie department. Apple has been doing trials in San Francisco stores whereby shoppers can order Apple boons online and then pick them up in-store later. Well, now this feature is going to be added to all Apple Stores (in the US at first but then who knows) within the app.
The free Apple Store app helps you find nearby Apple stores, in case you want to go ahead, and do the shopping in person. Its tied into location services, so once you give your permission to be found, it will point you toward the nearest Apple store. From there you can make reservations to speak with an Apple Genius or sign up for an event like a workshop.
If you'd rather shop on-line, the items selected will probably become available for pick-up within 12 minutes or so. This provides the system enough time to send the order to the store, and allow Apple Retail employees to set aside the item for pickup. Costumers will skip lines this way and will only have to sign in for them and then be free to leave. What about build-to-order, engraved devices or out of stock items? Apple will ship those to your local Apple Store for free. Shoppers will receive a pick-up date and a push notification to the App, so youll know when it has arrived.
A neat aspect of the new service is that youll be able to use the app as a self-checkout machine. Simply pick up the item you want, scan the barcode using the app and pay with your credit card. No need to deal with Apple staff, if youd rather stay at home by yourself.
by Radu Tyrsina
Source: BGR
