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That Weird 'Other' Section in Apple Stores Is Reportedly Being Revamped for a New Line of Home Products - Gizmodo
Technology and ScienceBy Mike Pearl8/23/20261 min read
The "Avenues," as they're apparently known, reportedly must be revamped to introduce consumers to a whole new device.
✨ Key Highlights
- Apple is reportedly overhauling the perimeter sections of its stores, known as "Avenues," which currently house Beats headphones, Apple TVs, dongles, and third-party accessories, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
- The revamp is said to be tied to the launch of Apple's long-rumored line of Siri-powered HomePod products, with the "Avenues" label reportedly applying only to newer store layouts.
- A central focus is a rumored home hub featuring a display, described as running a mobile-style operating system on a 7-inch screen.
- The device is expected to interface with smart appliances and IoT gadgets such as doorbell cameras, and may offer custom interactions for household members via facial recognition.
- Gurman notes that existing store layouts aren't well suited to demonstrating such a product, suggesting Apple will build an interactive, introductory marketing experience to showcase it.
- The strategy aims to draw the attention of shoppers already in stores for other purchases, helping introduce customers to an unfamiliar product category.
If Im in an Apple Store, I have two modes: A) touch everything, time-killing mode, meaning Ill be at the big tables poking some iPads, or B) find-the-dongle-fast mode, meaning Ill be in the weird Oth