DC and London Apple Stores 2018

Written on 27 July 2018.

I recently had the opportunity to deliver training to Embassy and High Commission staff (from around the world) of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Whilst many staff came to Wellington for training, I also got to travel to Washington DC and London to deliver some final sessions at the New Zealand Embassy (in DC) and the High Commission (in London).

Because I had visited a number of the Apple Stores mentioned in this article before (and because the stores are no longer the unique experience for me they were so long ago) I didn't take as many photos as usual…but here are the photos that I took.

Apple HQ - Cupertino 2009

Written on 11 June 2009.

In 2009, I got the opportunity to spend a week at Adobe HQ as part of the summer school event for Adobe Education Leaders from around the world. Just before the event, I took the bus to the Cupertino area and wandered outside 'Mecca' for the second time.

Apple Store - San Francisco 2009

Written on 07 June 2009.

In 2009, I got the opportunity to spend a week at Adobe HQ as part of the summer school event for Adobe Education Leaders from around the world. Because I was flying out from San Francisco, I got a chance to pop into town for the day and check out the Apple Store for the second time. It amazed me how nothing had really changed in the store, but I guess why ruin a perfectly great store by altering the layout. What did amaze me more was that I intended to visit the Virgin MegaStore opposite to buy some CDs and DVDs...only to find it completely closed. I couldn't find a CD or DVD store anywhere!!

Apple Store - Sydney 2009

Written on 09 April 2009.

In 2009 I was staying with friends in Sydney at the same time that my favourite band, The Hoodoo Gurus, were set to play in the Apple Store as part of the iTunes Live series of performances. Apple PR kindly arranged for there to be a couple of tickets waiting for me at the door on the night, but I visited the store for the first time ever (and saw the band gear already set up) during the day.

Apple Store - San Francisco 2004

Written on 09 April 2004.

I was visiting the States to attend a video stream conference after being appointed as a Flexible Learning Leader in New Zealand. This was my first visit to an Apple Store and what a great place to start...their flagship store in central San Francisco.

Apple Store - Covent Garden 2010

Written on 09 October 2010.

I was very very impressed with the Covent Garden Apple Store in London (so much so that I forgot to take any photos of my visit to the Regent Street store) but one of the reasons was because it was so quiet. Contrast this with the Regent Street store which is now almost so busy it feels uncomfortable, and I was amazed. Covent Garden at 11am on a Thursday was reasonably busy, but the Apple Store felt like it was just getting set up for the day.

Apple Store - Santa Clara 2009

Written on 09 June 2009.

In 2009, I got the opportunity to spend a week at Adobe HQ as part of the summer school event for Adobe Education Leaders from around the world. After the week I spent a day looking around including a large Mall nearby. There I saw my first 'normal' Apple Store...one in a shopping mall, as opposed to a larger shop that includes a tutorial area. Despite its small size, it was still very well set up and felt spacious.

Hoodoo Gurus - Sydney 2009

Written on 03 June 2009.

In 2009 I was staying with friends in Sydney at the same time that my favourite band, The Hoodoo Gurus, were set to play in the Apple Store as part of the iTunes Live series of performances (the recording of the performance can be bought here). Apple PR kindly arranged for there to be a couple of tickets waiting for me at the door on the night.

Apple HQ - Cupertino 2004

Written on 10 April 2004.

I was visiting the States to attend a video stream conference after being appointed as a Flexible Learning Leader in New Zealand and at exactly the same time as the conference, a group of educationalists from New Zealand had a briefing at Apple HQ in Cupertino (in relaity you don't get that far into Apple HQ, just inside the door into a briefing room). I couldn't attend as the funding was paying for me to go and report on the conference. So instead I visited HQ the next day (So close, but yet so far!). You aren't allowed inside without a reason. I was tempted to try and walk in, but resisted. Being an obsessive Apple fan boy apparently isn't a good enough reason.