Apple launches online shopping hub with access to Genius support, trade-ins, lessons
As the initial wave of COVID-19 infections begins to subside in some parts of the world, Apple is making plans to slowly reopen some of its lucrative bricks and mortar retail stores. At the same time, however, the company has also launched a brand-new online hub that pulls together most of the services it would normally offer customers in store. This includes the ability to chat with Genius Bar technicians and complete trade-ins that have been put on hold following the COVID-19 lock down.
Other services to customers that would normally be offered in store such as the “Today at Apple” series of in-store classes have been turned into online lessons with Apple Store staff. There are online lessons covering a range of creative activities that are easy for Apple users (or even Android users) to pick up a range of tips to improve how they use their devices. The initial batch of lessons cover photography, music creation, playful portraits, and video shooting.
It is something of a preview of what we might expect Apple’s forthcoming all-online WWDC 2020. With gatherings of large crowds that you would normally see at events such as this, trade shows or sports venues unlikely to return to normal at least until an effective vaccine is developed, Apple looks to be digging in for what looks to be the new normal. Even after a vaccine is developed, the rapid uptake of video conferencing and online shopping could mean that consumer behavior will have been fundamentally reshaped and it is clear Apple wants to be ready.