Apple store southdale

Feature For the first time since March 2020 all 270 Apple Stores in the US are now open in some capacity. AppleInsider has visited a few stores in the last few weeks, and the experience is radically different than what it was a year ago, or even when the stores reopened for the first time. Over the past year, my local Apple Store found in the Westfield Brandon Town Center mall has remained open save for only a few sporadic weeks. While I haven't had much need to visit in-person over the past year, two faulty MacBooks finally required me to make a Genius Bar appointment and bring them in for repair. Users looking to make any kind of Genius Bar appointment should plan far ahead as the earliest appointments for this location were at least one week out. If you attempt to show up in-person without an appointment, don't expect support. You may be able to wait several hours for a personal shopping experience, but Genius support won't be available. Visitors … [Read more...] about Returning to the Apple Store – the new normal

The next time you visit an Apple Store, expect to see a lot more Memoji. After today, Apple’s retail teams will greet you wearing custom new badges printed with their likeness — in Memoji form. If you’d like a virtual badge in the same style, there’s now a way to make your very own tag. Employee badges on lanyards were a signature part of the Apple Store aesthetic from the day the first locations opened in 2001. The iconic badges disappeared in late 2014 while Apple Retail was under the direction of Angela Ahrendts but are now back with a twist. The new Memoji badges are designed to help store employees express themselves in a world wearing masks. They’re sure to be conversation starters and add a pop of color and fun to the store experience. For long-time Apple enthusiasts, they’re a throwback to old times. Earlier badges promoted Apple’s in-store services and announcements, like Personal Pickup or The Beatles arriving on iTunes. Memoji badges first appeared at the grand … [Read more...] about Apple Store badges are back with Memoji, here’s how to make your own

AppleInsider breaks down every record Apple smashed in its gargantuan fiscal quarter ending in December 2020. Apple's first fiscal quarter was one to remember, breaking records left and right on its way to a staggering $111.4 billion in total revenue. While that number was the biggest takeaway, it was far from the only record the company shattered. Total revenue Apple brought in a staggering $111.4B in Q1 2021 During the 1Q 2021 financial quarter, Apple raked in $111.4 billion in total revenue. This is the first time the company has passed $100 billion for a quarter, breaking its previous record of $91.8 billion in the prior year's December-ending quarter. It's all the more surprising that Apple did this during a global pandemic, as many working families cut down on luxury purchases. Impressive iPad and Mac sales boosts may have partially reflected the greater need for work-from-home and Zoom-friendly computing devices. However, the iPhone continued … [Read more...] about Ten records Apple broke in its historic holiday 2020 quarter

Apple CEO Tim Cook on an earnings call Wednesday said that the company set a new record for the most FaceTime call volume during the holiday season. Apple broke a lot of records in the holiday quarter of 2020, from revenues to sales of different products to income from Services. It turns out the company broke another record over Christmas as it recorded the highest-ever volume of FaceTime calls. Cook, during Apple's quarterly earnings call, stated that "as COVID-19 kept us apart, we saw the highest volume of FaceTime calls ever this Christmas." It is unclear if "this Christmas" refers to Dec. 25, the surrounding weeks, or the entire holiday quarter. Cook did not specify an exact amount of FaceTime call volume. The record, though, is not surprising, especially with friends and family physically apart for the holidays last year due to coronavirus restrictions. In addition, as stated on the call, the install base for iPhone is the largest it has ever been, and Cook … [Read more...] about Apple broke record for FaceTime call volume over holidays

Apple this week posted repairability scores for flagship iPhone and Mac products in France, a measure mandated by the country's government in January. The listings, known as repair indexes, are now displayed on official Apple Store app purchase pages and on Apple's website, reports MacGeneration . Current-generation flagship devices including the iPhone 12 , iPhone 11 and iPhone SE series, as well as MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models, carry the informational mark designed to offer insight into a product's life cycle. Separately, Apple has posted a dedicated webpage on its French website with links to detailed repair index reports covering documentation; disassembly, access and tools; parts availability; parts pricing; and software and services support. Indexes are self-reported and assigned based on cumulative scores in a range of sub-categories. All models in the current iPhone 12 series were assigned a score of 6 out of 10. The iPhone 11 and 11 Pro … [Read more...] about Apple now displays iPhone and Mac repairability scores in France

The first fiscal of 2021 marks the first time in nine quarters that Apple's Services segment increased revenue by more than 20 percent. Apple Music In Apple's quarterly earnings announcement on Jan. 27, the company announced Services revenue of $15.8 billion for the final three months of 2020, representing a 24% increase over the same period in 2019. "The steep integration of hardware, software and Services have always defined our approach here, and it has delivered an all-time quarterly Services record," Apple CEO Tim Cook said on the earnings call. "This was the first quarter of the Apple One bundle, which brings together many of our great Services into an easy subscription, and with new content being added to these services every day, we feel very optimistic about where we are headed." "Look no further than the great potential of Fitness Plus," Cook said when discussing Apple Watch. Cook also touted the App Store small business plan, which launched Jan. 1, … [Read more...] about Apple raked in record $15.8B in services revenue during Q1

Apple on Friday announced the discontinuation of the full-size HomePod , saying it plans to focus on production and development of the HomePod mini. Apple informed TechCrunch of the product's end of life in a statement today. HomePod mini has been a hit since its debut last fall, offering customers amazing sound, an intelligent assistant, and smart home control all for just $99. We are focusing our efforts on HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original HomePod, it will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software updates and service and support through Apple Care. The company plans to sell remaining HomePod units until stock is depleted, though Apple's online storefront is already sold out of Space Gray models. Support will also continue until the product is declared obsolete. Announced at WWDC 2017, HomePod was Apple's … [Read more...] about Apple discontinues full-size HomePod, to focus on HomePod mini

Holiday weekend sales continue to heat up, with Verizon's Apple Pencil 2 deal knocking $26 off the stylus in addition to free 2-day shipping. Apple Pencil markdown at Verizon You don't have to be a Verizon Wireless subscriber to take advantage of the company's Presidents Day promotion on the Apple Pencil (2nd Generation). This accessory, which is compatible with current iPad Air and iPad Pro models, is discounted to $103.99 with free 2-day shipping or in-store pickup. The $26 markdown offers shoppers the lowest price available on the gadget to unlock even more functionality in compatible iPad products. For even more holiday discounts, including exclusive deals on M1 Macs , be sure to check out the AppleInsider Apple Price Guide . Deals on Apple hardware If you find yourself needing a new piece of Apple hardware to utilize the accessory deals above, AppleInsider and Apple Authorized Resellers are also running exclusive … [Read more...] about Presidents Day Apple Pencil deal drops iPad Pro, Air accessory to $103

On Monday, a report details Apple's warranty repair policy for AirPods Max, noting the company does not supply an extra set of ear cushions if the device needs to be replaced. Damien Menn recently discovered Apple's replacement protocol when requesting warranty service for a faulty Digital Crown, reports 9to5Mac . Illustrated in a tweet , Apple informs users to remove AirPods Max's ear cushions before sending the unit in for repair. The replacement device arrives in a form-fitting insert and is fitted with special fiber pouches to protect the ear cups that contain sensitive components like drivers, sensors, and circuit boards. A pamphlet included in the package instructs users to remove the original cushions that came with their AirPods Max, slip on the fiber baggies and stow them securely for the return shipment. Fortunately for the user, AirPods Max cushions are held on with magnets and are easy to remove and install. The repair practice deviates from … [Read more...] about Ear cushions not included with AirPods Max warranty replacements

AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission when you buy through our links. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content. Morgan Stanley has raised its Apple price target to $152 on expectations of a strong December quarter across its product and services portfolio. In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider , analyst Katy Huberty says that recent checks indicated that 5G adoption, the switch to remote education and work, and sustained App Store engagement all drove Apple to a potential blockbuster of a December quarter. "Our recent conversations suggest investors expect Apple to release solid, but not great, December quarter results," Huberty writes. "We disagree and believe that Apple is likely to report all-time record quarterly revenue and earnings." The analyst expects Apple to report double digit year-over-year growth across all five of its revenue segments, with some risk skewed to the upside for the iPhone … [Read more...] about Morgan Stanley raises AAPL target to $152, expects blockbuster December quarter