iPad mini is definitely the buzz word in the technology industry this week. Though the launch wasn't as overwhelming as the other Apple products, it still has attracted hard-core fans without too much convincing.
To be honest, I wasn't planning to get my iPad mini in London. The price is still cheaper back in Singapore even after the 10% plus tax refund. I was also keener on the 4G models rather than a WiFi only version because judging by the smaller size than an iPad, I could surf the internet and connect with the world on the go (and this is where the wow factor comes in). But still, I got it here… Why? I guess it's because of the Apple Store experience.
A lot of sales professionals have talked about THE EXPERIENCE. But, I was not so convinced, a store could only be a store with pushy sales guys out there trying to rob every penny out of your pocket. And plus, there isn't any official Apple Store in Singapore (which is such a pity, at every product launch, long queues are seen around the island). So I did not have much experience in Apple Store before. I was wandering around in central London last night and saw an oversized Apple hanging in the bustling hustling Oxford Circus. So, guess what, I decided to at least take a look at the little sibling of iPad.
The Apple store, on Regent Street, and probably the largest in the UK, is housed in a Victorian-era mansion. One thing struck me first as I stepped in was the huge contrast between the traditional, definitely-european exterior and the immaculate cleanliness of the interior. A vast crowd of people were circling the display benches. I waited for a while before I could lay my fingers on the iPad mini. To put it simple, it feels great. The gadget is very handy yet the screen is large enough for web browsing and book reading. It's wider than most Android tablets I've tried (Kindle Fire, Nexus 7, Galaxy Note 10.1, etc.). Although the resolution is not at retina level, it's still acceptable, considering I am using iPad 2 which is of the same resolution and even larger display. All iPads on display were content-loaded, and connected to the Internet. I was not only allowed, but INVITED to experiment with apps and web sites to experience the power and performance of the device.
The whole experience, was designed by apple to create an ownership sense of feeling to its customers. Even the tilting angle of the device, was so meticulously tailored in Apple’s secret lab hidden in California valleys, to woo customers into buying each and every apple product. When Steve Jobs gave a tour of the first Apple store in Fifth Ave New York City, he said all the devices, be it iPhone, iPad or Mac, were connected to the Internet. “You can go up to any computer and start surfing, go to your personal web site, or do whatever you want to do on the Internet.” By engaging people in the so-called “multi-sensory” experience, Apple stores worldwide have witnessed their sales digits hitting the roof while other big box retailers have tumbled.
Enough said, within minutes, I got tempted to buy the iPad mini on the spot. I thought it would be out of stock since so many people are there. As many Apple Genius were around, I approached one of them and asked for the stock availability, the answer is "yes, we have the stock". She asked me to wait for a while once I confirmed my order. It took me less than two minutes before she came back with the iPad mini package in her hand. She then took out an iPhone, conspicuously labelled “Easypay” (yes Apple has trademarked it). and scanned the barcode on my iPad mini and woala, that’s it! She later told me when pulling out a receipt from the thin air (or it seemed) the store was experimenting with self-check-out, by asking customers to download an app on their iPhone and make payment in an absolutely D-I-Y way, and walk freely out of the store with the new purchase. From the moment I decided to purchase an iPad mini till I actually went out of the store, it's literally less than ten minutes. There is no hassles or much waiting time for check-out as the whole store experience is designed to facilitate transaction in a personal and tailored manner.
Now I am very satisfied with my iPad mini and enjoy every bit of it. I'll post some more detailed review later in this week.
Technorati Tags: Apple, iPad mini, Apple Store
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