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Apple Prepping Retail Store iOS App



Apple is believed to be ready to introduce a cool new iOS app that will essentially serve as your mobile Apple retail store. With its formal introduction supposedly imminent, the application will serve up access to Apple's online store and - as you might expect - provide a mobile way of pre-ordering, let's say, a new Apple product like the iPhone 4, which conveniently enough becomes available for preorder tomorrow, June 15th.

For months there has been talk of a similar application, but until now, no indication as to if and when such an offering would actually manifest. Given that Apple has long enjoyed very high customer approval ratings, the pressure to produce such an app has been underwhelming. But in light of the customer surge expected within the next two weeks, the time is probably right for an app that, according to speculation and sources in the know, will serve as a hybrid between a mobile App retail store and a so-called concierge-like service.

Although long lines will all but certainly be observed at Apple stores around the country June 24th, both AT&T and Apple have worked aggressively toward making the pre-order process as seamless and attractive as possible. This year, for example, AT&T is trying something new - offering customers the option to ship pre-orders directly to their home or business for delivery on launch day. As Paul reported this morning on MMi, another factor helping to thin out those prospective long lines is that, in addition to AT&T, Apple and Best Buy retail outlets, the fourth generation iPhone will also be available at RadioShack and Wal-mart stores on launch day.