If you consider yourself a technophobe and only know how to use three apps on your phone, this news is for you.
Apple has recently announced that it will be adding almost 60 new classes to its range of free workshops called Today at Apple.
If you didn’t know, the tech giant holds workshops to help customers learn and take advantage of their Apple products. Some of these workshops will teach you how to take and edit photos and videos, create music, draw or paint using an iPad, and even how to use some design and coding apps on your iMac. These in-store workshops are completely free of charge and are available to anyone.
View this post on Instagram
This initiative is a part of Apple’s new strategy to turn their stores into learning centres where customers can try the latest products and software, as well as learn something new every day.
“The 60 new sessions fall into three broad categories: skills, walks and labs,” reports DailyHive. “Think of skills classes as the 101 courses in college and university: They’re meant for someone who is either new to Apple, looking to learn basic skills, or coming into a new passion, whether that’s sketching using an Apple pencil, or drumming in GarageBand.”
The “walks” section offers customers to go outside and use Apple devices in real-life conditions (to take photos or even record a video.) All classes are led by Apple experts.
The last category “lab” offers the most advanced sessions created in collaboration with celebrities, such as music producer Swizz Beatz and Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine. These sessions are 90-minutes long.
Instagram/ @mirelledutra.santos
Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s vice president of retail and author of these classes, is sure that her idea will help unlock people’s creativity and build a community.
“If it’s the camera, we teach you photography. We have an app store so why shouldn’t we teach you to code – how to create apps – so someday you could have an app [in the] store? Apple Music – why shouldn’t we teach you how to use GarageBand and how so someday you can be a musician, and someday you could be on Apple Music,” said Ahrendts.
Featured image: Instagram/@ricardoballon
Posts you might be interested in:
Is Apple Building A Megastore In Toronto? We Examine The Evidence
9 Secrets About The Apple Store Revealed By Employees
Apple is Releasing a Streaming Service and Guess What’s FREE
The Future Is Here: Dyson Has Created The Ultimate Curling Tool That Uses Space Tech
According to Reports The New Apple HomePod is a Bust
Apple is a multi-billion dollar company, with over five hundred store locations. That means there’s probably a lot of things that we don’t know.
Luckily, former employees were able to give us the full scoop on everything there is to know about shopping and even working at Apple.
It’s really hard to get hired by Apple
Unsurprisingly enough, Apple’s hiring process is a bit of an intense one. They have a lower acceptance rate than Harvard. So, if you’re planning on applying, you better make sure your resume is top-notch.
Instagram/ @techs_bikes
The employee benefits are awesome
Although the pay isn’t amazing, their benefits package certainly is. Employees receive part-time health benefits, $100 a month for commuting to work, 201K match, and an employee discount on all products.
Employees aren’t allowed to talk about their job on social media
Apparently taking pictures in the Apple work uniform is a big no-no, and because of this, a few people started up an underground, anonymous Apple staff Twitter account called “Genius Bar Tales”, where they can go to vent their frustrations. The account now has over 13K followers.
Instagram/ @mirelledutra.santos
The employees can see the comments you leave on surveys
If you decide to fill out the online survey about your in-store experience, the employee that helped you will get a chance to read it — so tread lightly.
Certain words are off-limits to sales employees
For example, instead of telling a customer “I don’t know”, they would have to say “Let’s find out together” instead. Or, instead of saying “unfortunately”, they would swap that for “as it turns out”. They are also not allowed to point at products, or at screens when they’re trying to indicate something to a customer. They must use a pen or a pointy object as an extension of their hand.
Instagram/ @iphonecase_sss
All apple headphones and chargers are covered under a one-year warranty
Apple headphones and chargers have a tendency to fall apart quite quickly. But at least if it’s within the first year of purchase, you can return them for ones in mint condition.
You can self-checkout at the store
This not-so-well-known feature could really come in handy. Considering the Apple store is almost always flooded with people, making it almost impossible to get the attention of an employee, and check out your items in under 20 minutes. Using the Apple store app, you can scan the barcode and pay through your Apple ID. The downside to this feature is that it’s only available for smaller less expensive items, like headphones and other accessories.
Instagram/ @budvicapple
Every store has free workshops
Every day Apple holds workshops to help customers learn and take full advantage of their Apple products. For example, things like how to draw or paint using an iPad, how to edit photos on an iPhone, and how to edit videos on a Mac. These workshops are free of charge, and you can attend as many as you want, as frequently as you want.
Everyone can get a student discount
In store, you will only be able to get a student discount if you can prove you’re a student by showing your student ID. However, if you make an online purchase, you won’t be asked for any type of verification. So, you can lie to your heart’s content.
Featured image: Pexels
One of the busiest intersections in Toronto may be home to a brand spanking new flagship Apple store. The website MacRumours discovered that Apple has been named in a document for planning for The One – the massive 85-floor condo project located at Yonge and Bloor. The architecture firm Foster + Partners has been named as the firm behind the project and they have partnered with Apple on several occasions in the past.
Rendering of The One
Apple has yet to confirm the arrival of a Toronto flagship store, but according to MacRumours the uncovered planning document is the first concrete evidence pointing towards the realization of a massive Toronto Apple Flagship store. The intended flagship Apple store will be located at the base of the condo surrounded by other retailers and would have access to Toronto’s PATH system.
Despite the uncovering of the planning document – this isn’t a guarantee that Apple will sign the lease and make it official. While the GTA already has four Apple stores a street front flagship would be the crown jewel of the collection and will be a cornerstone to the revitalization of Yonge street south of Bloor and north of Dundas.