Imagine my utter shock and disbelief when I got an email from Apple which read “Now Open: Apple Online Store, Philippines“. Whoa?! It’s not April 1 so it must not be a joke. It wasn’t. Within minutes I was able to confirm that indeed our country has it’s very own online Apple store.

It was really a surprise that this is finally true. I figured an online store was still years away. The Philippine market has been growing steadily and Apple must have recognized that it might be time for an online Apple store.

It’s an exciting time. We’ll see if this takes off here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple To Philippines, Here’s Your Online Store!

The Australia store is supposed to be the second largest in the world. It will also contain (according to the Apple press release) the world’s largest genius bar.

The shop has the glass cube look that so many of the Apple Stores have, but is actually a facade built on to the outside of an existing office building.

This definitely furthers my thought of developing some sort of Apple Travel Agency. Private tours of the greatest Apple stores in the world.

[imagine the following in the movie announcer voice]

While visiting the Apple Cube in New York City, you can stop off and visit some other architectural wonders. While not quite as impressive as an Apple Store, the Empire State Building provides impressive views of the City. Apple has long stood for freedom from Windows, while just down the road you can visit the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of Freedom from tyranny and oppression.

Other Apple tours are available with stop off visits to the Golden Gate bridge, the Green Monster, or the Great Barrier Reef.

I wonder if people would pay for a tour like this? I wonder if Steve announcing it in a Keynote would change people’s willingness to pay for a tour like this?

Oh Well.

For now I will have to settle for visiting my little mall Apple Stores here in town. And when my wife and I finally make it to NYC for a stop off on Broadway, some great food, and some sightseeing, I’ll convince her that a few hours in the Apple Store is just as important as visiting the Statue of Liberty. And if I’m lucky, she’ll even let me buy something. "Yeah, that’s my new Mac Book Air. I bought it in New York at the Apple Store there."

BTW… Apple Insider has some great photos of the new Sydney, Australia store and you can read the official press release here.

Tags: Apple Store

Post from: EveryJoe

New Australian Apple Store

This key part of the Apple GREEN MONSTER sign was lovingly rescued from the dumpster… carefully pulled apart from it’s sticky self, and backed on light paper.

I don’t know if I would want to spend the money on something like this (would rather save it for iPhone 2), but it is going to charity and it would look great in my shed next to my Laney banners.

Oh Well. Send us pics of how you are displaying it if you win.

Post from: EveryJoe

A Chance to Own Part of an Apple Store

And people are excited.

I mean, what’s not to love. Instant access to your favorite Apple products. The ability to touch and experience things you may not be able to buy. A chance to talk to the Geniuses. It is an Apple user’s dream come true.

But I already have two.

Here in Orlando, FL, we have two Apple stores. Both with Genius bars. Both with the newest and greatest products just a short drive away. This fact leads me to the following observations.

1. How in the world do we have two Apple stores in Orlando (Florida has 14) and Boston is only just now getting a store? (I know there is one or two just outside of Boston.)
2. There are too many people who have not had the proper Apple experience. There is nothing like walking into the Apple store to check out the latest gear. If Apple doesn’t step up the pace on opening new stores, they need to at least start a travel division so people can go visit some of the best retail stores.
3. I am extremely spoiled. Seriously. I get to choose which store to visit whereas others have to commit to a long drive to visit at all.

Hopefully there is an Apple Retail store near you. If not, take a drive and check one out. You won’t be disappointed.

Post from: EveryJoe

The Apple Store Is Just A Short Drive Away

And people are excited.

I mean, what’s not to love. Instant access to your favorite Apple products. The ability to touch and experience things you may not be able to buy. A chance to talk to the Geniuses. It is an Apple user’s dream come true.

But I already have two.

Here in Orlando, FL, we have two Apple stores. Both with Genius bars. Both with the newest and greatest products just a short drive away. This fact leads me to the following observations.

1. How in the world do we have two Apple stores in Orlando (Florida has 14) and Boston is only just now getting a store? (I know there is one or two just outside of Boston. [Correction: There are apparently 8 in the greater Boston Metropolis])
2. There are too many people who have not had the proper Apple experience. There is nothing like walking into the Apple store to check out the latest gear. If Apple doesn’t step up the pace on opening new stores, they need to at least start a travel division so people can go visit some of the best retail stores.
3. I am extremely spoiled. Seriously. I get to choose which store to visit whereas others have to commit to a long drive to visit at all.

Hopefully there is an Apple Retail store near you. If not, take a drive and check one out. You won’t be disappointed.

Post from: EveryJoe

The Apple Store Is Just A Short Drive Away