The iPod Nation

With all the demand for the iPhone and shortages that expected to last another month Apple has extended their store hours and are opening at the earlier time of 8 a.m. Monday to Saturdays. Apple employees are also handing out tickets to customers waiting in line when the store opens, the tickets are redeemable for the select iPhone the customer is waiting for. The best part is that the customer can leave the line and go about their day once they get their ticket. Yes some people work for a living unlike some Apple fanatics who camp outside Apple Stores for days. Also, after you get your ticket you can use that free time to do the paper work and credit check before buying your new iPhone to help make things more efficient.

It’s good to see Apple is taking charge and making the process easier for its customers, not getting an iPhone won’t be such a headache.

-Ray

[Source: macworld ]

The first Apple store has officially opened in Beijing, China. Hundreds of people lined up to be one of the first customers to the new store. While most of Apple’s products sold in China still go for a premium price compared to the Apple stores in the US, many Chinese are still enthusiastic about Apple officially offering their products in mainland China. In the land of knock-offs and counterfeits many prefer the real deal because of the higher quality and the status symbol of owning a real Apple product. Although Apple products have been available in China for years it was always through third parties and special retailers, or just plain smuggling.

The iPhone has been smuggled into China for some time now, but many were drawn to the first Apple retail store in general. A second store is expected to open in Beijing in 2009 and more expected after that.

-Ray

[Source: macworld ]