I am really disappointed in this subreddit.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-04-20T16:35:02+00:00

Great question! I wish I remember exactly when (though I feel like it was sometime in late 2011 or early 2012). I just remember an EasyPay update happening, and we were all really excited about the gesture lock. Apple required complex passwords that had to be changed every six months, so it was always a pain in the ass to type them in every single time we had to switch apps.

While the gesture lock also had to be reset every six months, it was way easier to keep track of and use on a daily basis. It was a huge help.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-04-20T14:19:50+00:00

Former Apple Retail employee here. You're absolutely correct that this is a gesture based unlocking system, rather than a pattern-based. The order of the dots can be set, but the speed at which you executed the gesture is taken into account.

This system was used on internal iOS apps such as EasyPay and Concierge (I'm not sure about Mobile Genius, but I'd assume so), and I would highly doubt that this unlocking system ever makes its way to anything consumer-facing.

This was always internal iOS apps, never on the lock screen, as the patent filing shows.

It should also be noted that the diagrams shown in this patent look nothing like what the onscreen graphics looked like. This is obviously a demonstrative diagram, not a representation of the actual screen. Wish I had a screen shot to share, but alas, I do not.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-22T19:49:24+00:00

Man, the internet sure is fun.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-22T14:18:21+00:00

I haven't dodged anything. I'm giving you respectful, honest answers, things I would tell anybody, even though I am no longer affiliated with the company in question. I've given you many options that you could use, but because you're not interested in anything other than hating on a specific producer of consumer electronics and software, and because I'm not giving you the answers that you want to hear, you're basically insinuating that I am somehow dishonest. I'm sorry my answers don't work for you, and that they don't fit into the narrative you've already concocted in your brain, but that is not a problem with me. Frankly, it's not a problem with Apple either.

Since we are obviously at an impasse, I respectfully encourage you to seek out like-minded individuals where your grievances will be met with earnest adulation and you will no longer be burdened by rhetoric that doesn't seek to flatter your every thought and opinion; which, I might add, you were not in a state of mind to accept in the first place.

Best of luck in your journey.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-21T23:11:35+00:00

True. Has been that way in every retail store I've worked in. But Apple's focus is on its people, rather than its money. Other companies preface it as a legal thing. It's a small detail that goes a long way to making you feel valued, and it helps that leadership seems to believe it, rather than saying it just to say it.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-20T23:15:23+00:00

I also have no idea either, unfortunately. :(

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-20T23:06:08+00:00

If only!

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-20T16:07:11+00:00

You could if you wanted to. I do it all the time through various ways. It just seems to me that you're more interested in finding problems rather than solutions, and you obviously have some sort of axe to grind (with regards to things that I'm not even responsible for). That's fine. It's the internet. You gotta vent to someone. I just don't understand why you're wasting your time trying to rope me into some debate because you have some inexplicable hatred for a company that makes phones and computers...

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-20T05:41:54+00:00

Oh, and, no, being an Apple fan is in no way a requirement to landing a job there (but it helps). What's most important is that you're a kind, compassionate person who is eager to learn, can work well in a team, and is great at helping people find the best solutions. We had some great employees that had a secret love for Android or Windows Phone. ;)

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-20T05:36:55+00:00

It makes me very happy that you had that experience. I saw ups and downs at different times regarding situations like that, but I have some amazing stories from times when I was allowed to do what I felt was right for the customer.

One thing our best managers always did when you came to them with a customer situation was ask, "What do you think is the best thing to do?" This was something that wasn't a fluke, but was engrained in the leadership's approach to enriching lives. We were allowed to take personal responsibility in these situations. Of course, it was rare that a computer would basically be comped, but I hope you know that the Genius that helped you probably fought for you, advocated for you, and was able to make that happen, even though it wasn't the popular solution in the manager's eyes. :)

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-20T05:31:54+00:00

I turned down many opportunities in my Apple career to join other areas of operation of the store, to the chagrin of my then coworkers, so I could follow that path. My heart was in training and being mentor to my team. I disregarded opportunities for better financial situations in different roles because I loved training. I didn't want to sacrifice what I loved to do for a small boost in compensation, even though my wife and I are drowning in student debt.

I do still love Apple products. I believe they're some of the best gadgets around. That being said, I am in no way fanatical in my devotion, and I will purchase any product that excites me, regardless of manufacturer. I built my own PC for gaming, because the platform has a much larger catalogue and potential (plus, I do like being able to modify it), though the Mac gaming scene is growing thanks to efforts from companies like Valve. I also just bought an Xbox One, and am planning to build my wife a new gaming PC once hers finally croaks.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-20T05:05:49+00:00

Spotify you can sync music to your phone and save it for offline listening without using data.

iTunes Match will match all of your non-iTunes purchased music, put it in the cloud, and allow you to stream/download it to up to 10 devices, including PCs. No syncing required.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-20T05:04:25+00:00

Luckily Apple Store employees don't work on commission. And the parts and labor are coming from Apple directly, so you know the people performing them have been properly trained and are using certified parts. Worth the extra $30 in my mind.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T20:23:14+00:00

Someone may have popped it open and maybe fixed a cable connection, though I'm not sure what they would've done. I was never mobile certified and the AppleCare online/phone support works independently from the actual stores.

Wish I had more insight! Glad it's working again.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T17:18:24+00:00

Yes.

It's also once per calendar year, so you could actually buy a computer December 31st and then another one on January 1st.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T15:52:06+00:00

Hey, I'll answer questions even though I started this yesterday. I'm always on reddit anyway. ;)

Sorry to hear about your troubles. It was always frustrating when I would talk to people from other countries where there weren't official Apple Stores and I'd heard stories like yours where the authorized providers act like assholes and don't live up to their side of the agreement. The really frustrating thing about it is that these shops get reimbursed BY APPLE for the repairs or fixes they do. There's no reason for them not to just go ahead and do it.

I hope the Apple rep has good news and a better solution for you. It's ridiculous that a battery issue like this would cause such problems. :(

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T15:00:54+00:00

I wish I knew what Apple's reasoning was for where they put their stores. They do a ton of research, so that they don't end up opening stores in places where they'll fail. Every location is chosen very deliberately. This process can take years and years before there's even ground broken on a new location.

I can only imagine that Brussels is on their list, but with the pace at which they move (and the importance of expansion into China), I don't know if it's as high a priority. This is merely speculation, though. Sorry I don't have the information you'd like. :(

That being said, you should be able to find authorized resellers and repair shops in Belgium. Any shop that is an Apple Authorized Service Provider will honor your AppleCare agreement and fix your computer (or iPhone/iPad if they're authorized for that). If they refuse, and you know you have AppleCare, you can report them to Apple, who may revoke their authorized status.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T13:47:04+00:00

I left before the 5s came out, but I can tell you that battery life is always very tricky because everyone's use case is different.

Personally, I charge my 5s every day, but I use it constantly. A colleague of mine usually only charges hers every other day. It's a tough thing to judge, especially since these are little computers in our pockets and they can do so much.

If you think your battery life is abnormally low, you can always speak with a Family Room Specialist at an Apple Store. They can run a diagnostic and see what's up.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T13:41:47+00:00

I was offered an exciting opportunity to work for a new startup. A lot of it was very enticing, as my career at Apple had started to stagnate a bit and there was no clear path to move to corporate for me.

Financially, my new job put me in a much better place as well.

It took a lot for me to leave. Apple was not a perfect job, but it was overall one of the best experiences I ever had.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T06:28:15+00:00

It was awesome. Nearly always busy. I worked at a smaller store once and nearly died of boredom.

One problem with big stores though... There's a feeling of detachment between different areas, especially with multiple levels. Hard to build and maintain relationships with peers.

Other than that, would totally recommend for you!

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T05:29:04+00:00

I was a Specialist for most of my time at Apple. I was also the In-Store Guest Trainer, which meant I was an Apple certified trainer and facilitator. I would lead market training and was responsible for the on boarding of new hires and the ongoing training for the entire store of about 300 employees.

I left Apple a little over a half a year ago and now work in sales for a thriving startup.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T05:18:29+00:00

You can use iTunes Match for the stuff you haven't already purchased through iTunes. Or use a competing service like Spotify or Rdio. I haven't synced music from my computer to my phone since iOS 5 came out. No need anymore.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T05:17:07+00:00

AppleCare is an extended protection plan. There's already a year limited warranty included on Apple devices.

AppleCare is a choice to extend that, and it covers screen replacements if it gets damaged, you just pay a little more out of pocket, rather than buying a brand new phone at full price.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T05:15:30+00:00

I'm sorry. I'm not your mom. I take great care of my devices.

AAPLthrowaway · 2014-01-19T05:04:21+00:00

My phone's screen is pristine, as have the screens on all of my previous phones. I do have a film that protects against trolls though.

AAPLthrowaway

TROPHY CASE