Angela Ahrendts: “It Was Not An Easy Decision”

Angela Ahrendts: “It Was Not An Easy Decision”
A video was sent out by Apple\'s retail chief Angela Ahrendts to Apple retail employees going over the concerns about the new MacBook and Apple Watch launch. Originally posted by French blog Mac4Ever, the video readdresses what she said in the internal memo sent out to employees last week. Here is a snippet as to what she said:

I would say the number one question, in-store and online, is will you have product in the store for purchase on April 24. And this is why last week we announced that due to the high global interest, and the initial supply, that we would only be taking orders online right now. I will give you updates every single week as we have much more information, but that is the plan for right now.

She\'s letting retail staff know that they should be ready for customers who come in with pre-order Watches, looking for help setting it up. She also mentions the new 12-inch MacBook, which launched on April 10, the same day as Apple Watch pre-orders. The Apple Watch isn\'t the company\'s best product launch ever. In fact, the company is taking a lot of heat for how the launch was handled, especially with shipping times going all the way up to July. Ahrendts wraps up the video by saying the Watch launch is the most unique product launch yet and should not be any indication of the company\'s future plans.

Apple Pushing Customers to Buy the Apple Watch and New MacBook Online

Apple Pushing Customers to Buy the Apple Watch and New MacBook Online

Here lately we\'ve been noticing a trend that when Apple launches a new product, waiting lines get really long. This tends to give Apple free publicity and press for how long these lines can grow. That said though, it begins to look like Apple wants to reverse this decision and is suggesting that customers purchase the Apple Watch and the new MacBook through the Apple Online Store. Obtained by Business Insider, Apple\'s retail Chief Angela Ahrendts said, "the days of waiting in line and crossing fingers for a product are over," according to an internal memo sent to Apple Store employees. Unlike Apple\'s current retail setup, the Apple Watch won\'t be displayed on hands-on stands or attached to security chains. The report also notes that in-store pickups will be unavailable to customers in the UK. Here\'s the full memo from Apple\'s retail Chief:

Get in line online

"The days of waiting in line and crossing fingers for a product are over for our customers. The Apple Store app and our online store make it much easier to purchase Apple Watch and the new MacBook. Customers will know exactly when and where their product arrives.

This is a significant change in mindset, and we need your help to make it happen. Tell your customers we have more availability online, and show them how easy it is to order. You’ll make their day."

This Friday, Apple will be shipping the new MacBook while preorders begin for the Apple Watch in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and a small handful of other countries. Two weeks later, it will ship to homes and customers will be able to pick up their preordered watches in stores.

Video: Hands On with Apple’s New MacBook [Roundup]

Video: Hands On with Apple’s New MacBook [Roundup]

After Apple\'s super exciting announcement yesterday of the Apple Watch, a new line of MacBooks, and a discounted Apple TV, it\'s safe to say it went pretty well. Other than the obvious Apple Watch news, Apple reintroduced the line of regular MacBooks in three new colors -- space gray, silver, and gold. Not only that, but the entire motherboard for the machine is smaller than the iPhone 6 Plus. Pretty crazy, right? Anyhow, we\'ve compiled a pretty solid list of hands-on videos featuring the new MacBook that can seen by clicking the "continue reading" link. Be sure to give all the videos a quick look and we\'ll keep you updated with more information in the future like always.