Retail Stores

Despite the intense amount of interest in Apple's third-generation iPhone, this Friday's launch of the device may not bring out the hordes of Apple fans like it has in years past.

The first days that the original iPhone was on sale in June 2007 (and the iPhone 3G last July), lines at Apple and AT&T stores across the country snaked around city blocks, filled with both newbies and Apple's most loyal customers anxious to be the first to get their hands on the much-anticipated smartphones. Some of the most ardent iPhone devotees camped overnight to … Read more

Apple Stores will now open an hour earlier than planned on Friday when the iPhone 3G S goes on sale.

Doors will now open at 7 a.m. in all time zones instead of 8 a.m. as the company had previously stated. The move makes sense since AT&T stores are opening at 7 a.m. Friday, though only for customers who pre-ordered an iPhone. AT&T's doors will open to sell the phones at 9 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

As usual, we'll be following iPhone sales in various time zones. Will … Read more

Apple has chosen Scottsdale, Ariz., to showcase its latest retail store designs. The new Apple store is opening Friday night and features some firsts for the company.

Pictures of the Scottsdale first appeared on The Loop late last night. With its cube-like structure, the store, which is set to open at 6 p.m. local time, is reminiscent of the company's popular Fifth Avenue location in Manhattan. The difference is, in Scottsdale, the cube is the store, instead of just one of its architectural features.

When looking through the wall of windows on one side, you can see straight … Read more

This post was udpated with information about AT&T store hours at 3:45 p.m. PDT.

Apple offered clarification Wednesday for when exactly the new iPhone 3G S will go on sale.

Though Apple Senior Vice President of Marketing Phil Schiller said during his keynote speech at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference that the phone will first be available in the U.S. and seven other countries on June 19, he didn't offer a specific time. The 3G S will go on sale starting at 8 a.m. (in all time zones) next Friday. We know … Read more

The Post-it note of happiness is once again gracing the front page of Apple's online store, alerting users that changes are afoot behind the scenes. This happens during most Apple events, and can mean anything from an updated version of box art, to purchase pages for new products.

In just under an hour Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) kicks off with a keynote from Apple's Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide product marketing. Apple is expected to announce new hardware and software, including an updated version of the iPhone, as well as a price and … Read more

Apple's clearly onto something with its 24-hour store plopped down in a tourist hot spot.

The New York Post reports that as of sometime last year, Apple was pulling down $440 million a year in sales at its Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City. The numbers surfaced in the paper's investigation of empty retail space along Fifth Avenue.

Even if it is a high-end retail outpost for Macs, iPhones, and iPods, that's an impressive amount of money coming in when seemingly every retailer was clobbered by the arrival of the current recession. By comparison, the … Read more

Update at 2:58 p.m. PDT: Launch date for The Sims 3 corrected.

Apple is using its retail stores to demo one of the most anticipated games on the Mac in recent memory, The Sims 3.

The Electronic Arts game doesn't go on sale until June 2, but Apple stores are offering a sneak peek. The game is running on every Mac in the store, so you can try out a few of the features before you buy it.

The Sims 3 gives you tools like "Create a Sim" to customize your Sim more than ever … Read more

The idea of creating a Mac clone complete with Mac OS X is not a new concept. However, one company is taking its entry into the clone market a step further by opening a retail store in the Los Angeles area.

Quo Computer plans to open its first retail location, selling Mac clones, on June 1. This is the first time that I'm aware of that a clone maker will have a storefront to sell its wares. Mac clone companies, to this point, have chosen to sell their systems exclusively on the Web.

"It's exciting. We are … Read more

The recession has been difficult for every segment of the economy, from tech companies to the retailers, but Apple plans to spend its way through the downturn, according to USA Today.

Ron Johnson, Apple's senior vice president of retail, was brought into Apple by Steve Jobs to start and build the company's retail store strategy. And he has done just that, very successfully.

While many companies have been forced to cutback on their investment or close their doors completely, Apple is expanding its retail presence. Not only is the company building new retail stores, it is also renovating … Read more