Apple Mini Store Eröffnungen [Update]

Am Samstag eröffneten sechs der Apple Mini Stores und Steve Jobs ließ sich dabei erneut blicken. ifoapplestore.com schildert gewohnt detailliert und bebildert:

For now, self-service check-out is a promise. Store employees can process your transaction at the self-service kiosk using their standard procedures, but they could also do the same thing at the back counter. The process is slightly more unwieldy for the employee because of the two drawers, and also for the customer, who must sign the receipt on the tiny screen that is mounted vertically

Weitere Eröffnungsberichte bei TMO, Ars.technica:

One of the interesting things about the smaller store size is that it makes it seem like there are a lot more employees on the floor. However, it's a good idea not to wear a black t-shirt, or some OS 9 graybeard might bug you about his stupid extension problems. I told him to enter the 21st century and upgrade to OS X.

sowie Steve Crandall:

The manager said the stores are about 750 sq ft, but they feel much larger. The only space on the floor used for something other than floor is devoted to the stools at the genius bar. Everything else - including two cash registers, is either built into the wall or lives on a display bench. The design is spartan and stainless steel. I found myself quite taken with it as I'm fascinated by the illusion of space some architects impart on small spaces.

Update: Steve Jobs äußerte sich zum Ideengeber des Mini Store Konzeptes:

The idea of a scaled-down store, Jobs said, was borrowed from the Mini Cooper car. "It was cool because it was small," he said, and that concept fits nicely with the success of the mini-line of iPod players. "I've designed it for a younger and hipper audience," he said.

John Markoff berichtete für die NYT von der Pressekonferenz vergangenen Donnerstag.