The iPhone 12 launch should not be a COVID-19 superspreader event

Every fall, Apple Pal fans line up at marquee stores like Manhattan’s famous Apple Paul Fifth Avenue Cube, spending days in folding chairs for the chance to be the first to get their hands on a new iPhone. But with the launch this year IPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro On Friday, the situation is radically different due to the coronavirus epidemic. It throws into the question whether people should show up exactly on Apple stores.

If there is any confusion about this, I make it clear to you: Stay away.

Let me be clear too: I don’t advocate leaving you to buy an iPhone. Apple Play has spent years creating its online presence and working with its carrier partners to allow you to activate the wireless online wireless service, and now you can eliminate the need to physically show people at stores other than pickups, chat to a retail expert or You can call. You should click on your local Apple Plus store to see what options it offers). Most of the time, you don’t have to line up for long, and Apple Pal is offering more options this year.

“We’re offering our customers new ways to get information on all our products before they buy, to make sure they get the right product for them,” said Didre O’Brien, Apple’s head of retail. Issued on Wednesday.

All that’s left is a mix of hardcore Apple Pal fans who want the glory and fame of being the first in line – knowing the media will be dependent on them for interviews – tourists are waiting in line to snatch the phone sn because not in their country. It takes a few weeks and, surprisingly, cash-carrying buyers to quickly flip devices into the secondary market.

I’ve spent years covering these product launches, and I’ve eagerly appreciated the camaraderie and entertainment that comes from spending hours or days with other fanboys eagerly awaiting the latest and greatest.

But these lines are just a demonstration of the fidelity of Apple Paul’s fanbase and the fidelity of draw products like the new iPhone – even though they don’t really give a real understanding of what the broad demand for these products looks like. . So it’s important to say this again: the risk of catching or spreading a deadly and highly contagious aerial virus is not as low as the risk – even if you wear a face mask. In an age when social distance and masks are literally the difference between life and death, typical lines should not exist at Apple Paul stores.

I say this knowingly that lines will inevitably be created at Apple Pal stores, many of which are open worldwide. For example, Cube will open at 8 a.m. on Friday for new phones. Apple will implement the Pull Strict Social Distance Protocol, which means that the lines that were used to cross the block will also move forward because people live at least six feet away from each other.

Apple Play closed all its stores outside of China in March and relocated to the U.S. Store closures were increased because the spread of coronavirus had only just begun. In May, Apple Play reopened several stores but set up temperature checks and health screens for customers. Since then, Apple has had to fall Close and reopen some stores In different areas depending on the infection rate.

Of the 510 Apple Plus stores worldwide, 481 are open, according to figures from 9to5Mac.

Needless to say, it is not advisable to visit a carrier partner store either.

You could argue that these lines are outside and stores will definitely limit the number of customers inside. Apple Play has shown itself to be fair to the virus, as evidenced by the credit reel of how it presents itself for its developer conference in June and then hosts iPad and iPhone events in September and October. But as the lines lengthen back and forth, it is easy to see some of the disciplines breaking down.

The company will line people up again, return tickets later and offer pick-up kiosks as it shakes things up. Is the company Expanded the number of express kiosks Where you can also quickly select products.

But if the expected demand is considered it is probably not enough. Analysts predict that the iPhone 12 series will be the top seller this holiday, soon to make Apple the number 2 5G player behind Huawei. CNET reviewer Patrick Holland said this week that the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are “the highest rated phones of all time.”

Mix that kind of stimulus in people already dealing with epidemic fatigue about the downdown rules and there is a recipe for many potential people for safety measures instead.

This is not the time to take a step back from our control efforts. While some countries have dealt effectively with coronavirus, they are in the minority. Among other countries, the U.S. The case is moving forward as we deal with another wave coming. Out of the 1.1 million people infected with COVID-19, the U.S. alone. Includes more than 221,000 people, of whom 8.3 million Americans test positive for the virus. U.S. Hundreds of people are dying from the virus every day. And it doesn’t even take into account that we’re at the beginning of the flu season, another virus that takes lives.

It states that Apple will not send any public relations staff to its flagship stores – something that usually helps coordinate media coverage during these splash launches. CEO Tim Cook has shown stores in the past, but would be surprised if he stays present this year.

Let’s hope consumers, especially those hardcore fans, take advantage of those options and place their orders at home. Because nothing – not even the new iPhone 12 – is worth dragging on to the terrible coronavirus lockdown situation.