Apple Retail Store discussion section, please

It would be nice if there were a section here to discuss the Apple retail store. As of now, there's no way to give feedback for Apple stores online.

In particular, I want to give a point of feedback regarding the use of iPods to commit software piracy. There's a new book out called "Cult of iPod", which has a page that tells of how someone saw some guy walk into a CompUSA with his iPod, plug it into one of the display Macs using firewire, and literally dragged and dropped thousands of dollars worth of software onto his iPod's massive storage, unplugged it, and walked out. The fellow who saw this ran and told a CompUSA minion while the iPod pirate was in the process of pirating the software, and the CompUSA minion pretty much dismissed him as if he had no idea what he was talking about. Supposedly, this guy's not the only one; this is not something that Apple should permit to proliferate. iPods are seriously popular; if this kind of thing is not looked out for, software development on the Mac could seriously suffer from piracy.

Please, if there's any way to pass this feedback to the powers that be at the top of the Apple Store heirarchy, let them know. Preferably, a technological solution to drag-and-drop piracy off of display Macs should be implemented, both at Apple stores as well as at all places that are Apple resellers.

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Nov 21, 2005 9:50 PM

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10 replies

Nov 21, 2005 11:55 PM in response to Berkana

Hi Berkana,

Welcome to the forum.

It would be nice if there were a section here to discuss the Apple retail store. As of now, there's no way to give feedback for Apple stores online.

You just provided feedback in a forum where the Moderators/Hosts can forward your concerns to the relevant people.

With regards to software theft from retail stores using iPods it really isn't as widespread an issue. Most (all?) retail stores will allow customers to play with the demo computers. The Macs though won't have much more (if any) than the operating system installed. Others also provide password protection so if a customer is interested then a salesperson is always around to demonstrate the features.

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Nov 22, 2005 8:31 AM in response to Berkana

In addition to the comments by Red Dwarf, I can't help but wonder how, aside from disabling the iPod's ability to be used as an external hard drive, Apple themselves could influence the risk of software theft in such circumstances, let alone control the policy of independent retailers such as CompUSA as to what they install on their shop floor systems and how they police their stores.

I wouldn't doubt that such theft occurs from time to time, though I suspect that software houses and authors are far more concerned about unlawful duplication of install discs and the proliferation of pirated applications on web sites. Software theft by those means is undertaken outside any realistic means of control, whereas in-store theft can at least be thwarted by reasonable security and marketing policies. One hopes that Apple will take note of your comments here in regard to their own stores at least!

Feb 18, 2006 3:20 AM in response to Berkana

Hi I am a recent Apple switcher from Pc's and I wish I had moved over years ago.... Everything just works with ease and with no problems. Upon receipt of my ibook I was up and running online within 2 minutes.... the laptop even recognised my existing wifi network box for the pc and just worked..... The video edit software with ILIFE 06 is brilliant - software and features not readily available on pc's.....

Its that good I have now got my in-laws to by an apple for use as they have now retired and are looking for an easy to use system for photos, videos, and speaking to family over the world using Isight etc....

One concern is the lack of detail as to UK specific Retail store locations and new ones planned for 2006/7.... Can anyone advise if any store locations are planned for Scotland ie Edinburgh or Glasgow as locations are based in England, a few hundred miles away......!!!!

I hope I have not offended anyone by posting a message to the wrong board etc so I apologise in advance, but I am still new to this environment.....

I hope you can provide further insight.....

Kind regards

New Happy Mac User.....

IBOOK G4 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Feb 19, 2006 7:45 AM in response to SJL71

I want to try to make you feel not quite so bad about not having a close Apple Store.

Don't think this only happens in Scotland. My closest Apple Store is about 250 miles away.

People who have never seen the prairies of the United States (and Canada) can't believe the isolation. Our small city has about 25,000 people and is the biggest town in a 100-mile radius.

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Apple Retail Store discussion section, please

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