Apple Stores Running On Windows Mobile Devices
I cant believe I haven't seen this story sooner. This morning I got around to going into an Apple store and buying a 3G iPhone. I started asking the sales person about their handheld devices they use to run everything in the store. They use these to track you as a customer, your transactions, take your payment, email you a receipt etc etc
I pressed him for information about the device, who made it, etc etc... He kind of nervously laughed and said "Yeah its not an iPhone, its a Windows Mobile Device" and showed me the back of the device with the Windows Mobile Logo on it. I laughed out loud.
You can see the device here Motorola Symbol Device Used to Run Apple Stores
ZOMG...
Posted by: Joi Ito | August 05, 2008 at 02:58 PM
I noticed this in the London store a few weeks ago, but didn't think to ask if there were any plans for a custom iPod touch app to replace it. I'd expect there are, but maybe they're short on developers, what with needing to ship Texas Hold 'Em.
Posted by: Paul Mison | August 05, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Apple is a consumer based company. They use the windows device because it is rugged and can with stand drops. It is great to see apple doing what apple does best and allowing other companies to compliment them in serving their customers. Nothing but noise on this. By the way, Microsoft invested in Apple when it almost went out business cuz Scully blew it with Newton!
More than 90% of users on the web now should be grateful that softy sublicensed to dell, compaq (new hp), gateway and others to allow us common folks to afford a computer. Respect should be given to microsoft for past good deeds.
GNU gopher.
Posted by: GNU Gopher | August 07, 2008 at 01:41 AM
They've been using the Symbol handhelds since before Christmas- can't believe no one picked up on this before.
Posted by: Alex | August 07, 2008 at 07:56 AM
Yeah I'm kind of glad to see them being agnostic and practical here. Steve himself was still using a Windows NT laptop when he came back to Apple. Pixar uses Linux servers as well as Apple ones in their render farm.
And even though they tried to outlaw it before it became too overwhelming, Microsoft lets you come to work with iPods. ;)
Posted by: joe c | August 08, 2008 at 04:39 AM
Smart - Apple is just using something that they did not have to invent to get a job done. Bravo.
Posted by: Matt Williamson | August 16, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Steve Jobs has a Windows tatoo on his butt - who knew?
Posted by: Simon | August 16, 2008 at 12:17 PM
So?
Apple makes products for a particular niche; primarily consumers. They're not targeting retail and corporate customers (not yet anyways), so if running their own operation requires using products from a different company, so be it.
You're missing the point of business as a whole, if you assume Apple has to only use Apple products in every segment of their operations.
Posted by: 514Mac | August 16, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Yeah, deep down, Jobs and Gates are bedmates.
Posted by: J.T Dabbagian | August 16, 2008 at 12:24 PM
ifoAppleStore reported on the use of Windows-based Symbol handheld devices for Apple's Easy Pay retail program back in 2005:
http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2005/12/27/ipod-express-concept-gets-mixed-grade/
I wish all retailers, restaurants—everyone—provided an option to receive a receipt via email.
Posted by: btn | August 16, 2008 at 12:58 PM
@GNU Gopher Apple didn't "almost go out of business" when Microsoft invested in the company. This is misinformation. Apple was flush with cash, with some fancy financing and the $150-million Microsoft invested was simply another brilliant Jobs PR move to let the world know that MS was serious about Apple development. Do you really think $150-million was what bailed Apple out? Jobs could have written that check himself. Check your facts--this is one of those dumb rumor stories that's circulated around for years.
As far as using Windows Mobile: I'm sure Windows Mobile was the best solution for specialized POS that Apple requires. Most of Microsoft's point of sale and product boxes are designed on Macs, so I don't see why anyone cares about this. Apple's mobile platforms are currently not mature enough to be used for this sort of thing, but I'm sure some day they will use their own hardware. Apple simply uses the best solutions available, just like any other major corporation.
Posted by: Paul Salzman | August 16, 2008 at 01:29 PM
What, were you expecting them to be using the Apple POS Pro? It's not out yet.
Or were you expecting that in the roll out of a multi-billion dollar new business that Apple would pull resources away to develop customized store apps for their employees instead of using the systems they already have had in place for several years?
Here's another surprise...The Microsoft MBU has a few Macintosh computers in their offices.
Posted by: Hair | August 16, 2008 at 02:42 PM
At the Apple shops I go to, they like to say "The only non-Apple machine in the place."
Posted by: Bill Petro | August 16, 2008 at 11:21 PM
For the record my first Job out of school was working at Apple in the mid 1980's. I met my wife of 16 years at Apple. I have tremendous respect for Apple and their products.
But c'mon, the fact they are running their stores on Windows Mobile is just ronic and,... amusing
Posted by: RWolpert | August 17, 2008 at 09:49 AM
It is ironic and amusing. Don't they not get along at all?
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Posted by: KingP60 | January 19, 2009 at 06:13 AM
Apple is just targeting its productivity look wise they are not concentrating durability factor of their product....
http://www.electrocomputerwarehouse.com
Posted by: Cheap Computers | June 28, 2009 at 02:58 AM