Apple Store skill sessions go online, as company adjusts to COVID-19

Apple tree Store skill sessions go online, equally visitor adjusts to COVID-nineteen

(Image credit: Apple tree)

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to limit the amount of fourth dimension nosotros can safely spend in stores. Apple tree's responded by shifting a lot of the in-store activities at its retail outlets to online.

Apple tree'south online shift began well-nigh a yr ago when it launched digital version of its Today at Apple tree sessions atomic number 82 by its staff creative pros to evidence off dissimilar ways of using the company'south gear. Starting this week, Apple plans to eternalize its online presence by launching virtual production skills sessions centered around its central hardware.

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Centered around the iPhone, Mac and iPad, these skill sessions volition focus on making the most of the software powering those devices — recollect iOS, macOS and iPadOS. Since Apple makes its software updates widely available to older hardware, that means the skill sessions will still exist of interest to people who've yet to upgrade to the latest phones, Macs and tablets.

Apple tree is using WebEx to host its skill sessions, with the goal of making it feel as much similar a one-on-i in-shop experience equally possible. You won't see panes with the faces of other participants, for example, to bulldoze home the idea that the Apple artistic pro is in that location to focus on tips and tricks. You'll likewise be able to ask questions and collaborate with the session leader.

You can sign upward for sessions at Apple.com/today, with Apple planning to host one sessions per week across different time zones. Attendance will be capped at 250 people per session. Look for these online skill sessions to run through September fifty-fifty if the coronavirus pandemic eases and normal activity resumes at Apple'south physical retail stores.

iPhone 12 in augmented reality — Apple now lets you view its products in augmented reality using an iPhone or iPad. (Prototype credit: Tom's Guide)

The launch of online skill sessions is Apple'south latest movement toward reshaping its retail approach to accommodate shoppers who are staying at domicile due to COVID-19 concerns. Those efforts include the power to view recent Apple product releases like the iPhone 12 in augmented reality from Safari on your iPhone equally well as online setup sessions with Apple specialist when yous buy new hardware from the company.

Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom's Guide. He has potent opinions most Apple, the Oakland Athletics and sometime movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.