Roger Fingas
A new photo, published on Friday, shows what is claimed to be a demonstration kit Apple Stores will soon use for customers to try on in-ear headphones, something that might otherwise be uncomfortable or unsanitary.
The image, from Japanese blog Macotakara, depicts a tray with several different brands, including three Beats models — the Tour, urBeats, and PowerBeats 2 Wireless — plus three models from other companies. These include the JayBird BlueBuds X, Bose QC20i, and RHA MA450i. Notably missing are Apple EarPods.
The kit reportedly contains tips of different sizes, which should allow any person to try on headphones that have also been properly sanitized between uses. Apple already lets users try on-ear or over-the-ear headphones, but these come in fixed sizes and may not need to be cleaned as regularly or as thoroughly.
The emphasis on Beats products may suggest that Apple isn't interested in upselling customers to EarPods, which are already included with new iPhones. The Beats brand may be both more popular and more profitable.
It remains unclear when Apple might roll this kit out to its retail stores. The changes could come alongside a more sweeping update, spearheaded by retail chief Angela Ahrendts and design lead Jony Ive, that will alter some facets of the Apple Store formula to support sales of the Apple Watch beginning next month.
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14 Comments
They're already in use. At least here in France.
This is real. I've actually used this service already, a few weeks ago in my home town. I wasn't sure to believe the staff in the store who said I was the first in the world to use it. Maybe I was after all! Ended up with a nice set of Jay Bird Bluetooth in-ear headphones. And you get to keep the packet of silicon buds too.
It isnt allegedly. They are real. I just did it the other day. They gave a box of dozens of sets of the tips so they use and trash for each customer
err is not upselling the idea that you sell something more expensive with a higher profit margin? How can selling the EarPods which are included with new iPhones be consider upselling? I don't get it.
[quote name="Ex iPhone Owner" url="/t/185339/photo-allegedly-reveals-apple-store-demo-kit-for-trying-on-in-ear-headphones#post_2695789"]How can selling the EarPods which are included with new iPhones be consider upselling? I don't get it. [/quote] The EarPods that came with my iPhone 5 came out of their case once for about 5 minutes in which time I discovered that much like the Earbuds before them they don't fit in my ears comfortably and so are completely useless to me... The EarPods that came with my iPhone 6 have never been opened... Instead I got myself some SkullCandy Fix 2.0 earbuds which have been absolutely marvellous.