The next time you hit a snag with your iPad, Macbook, or any Apple product… you may not have to trek down to the local Apple Store to saddle up to the Genius Bar. Those Apple ‘Genius’ employees will likely be soon making house calls.
According to MacRumors, a secret meeting was held last week to inform Apple employees about the new way they’ll be helping consumers. It would appear that this Joint Venture program may cost a bit extra and primarily be for small businesses, institutions, and schools. That’s right, schools.
The Apple iCar?
If you’re unhappy with the level of Mac support at your school, help may soon be just around the corner. Perhaps they’ll even get a snazzy Geek Squad-like Apple car that’s shaped like an apple. Anyway, here’s the scoop from MacRumors:
BGR reports that Apple’s “secret” meeting for retail store employees scheduled for this coming Sunday is regarding a new service known as “Joint Venture” that will bring Genius Bar services to small businesses and professional-level consumers in the form of telephone consultations and on-site visits.
It’ll Be A Subscription Service
First rumored back in March of last year, Joint Venture is an extension of Apple’s current Genius Bar services that is aimed at small businesses and prosumers. Subscribers of the new service will be able to speak with a store-based Apple technician – lovingly referred to as Geniuses – over the phone for one-on-one consultation and troubleshooting, or they can request an on-site visit. Currently, Apple’s Geniuses are not allowed to provide support remotely via the phone or in-person outside of Apple’s retail locations.
The retail staff meeting is reportedly being held to brief employees on how to position and sell the forthcoming premium-priced service.
iCar (the silly image at the top right) is from here.
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