The Apple Store on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan is a marvel of modern design. In fact, it is one of the most unique retail stores in the world. Above the ground it features only a glass cube with a glass staircase and glass elevator that lead downward to the underground store. The store serves as one of the most popular high-tech hangouts in New York City. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
I got a chance to visit while I was in the Big Apple for Interop New York 2006 (see my separate gallery on Interop).
Credit: CNET Networks
The Apple logos in the glass entrance light up the night along Fifth Avenue, New York’s famous shopping district. \r\n
Credit: CNET Networks
The glass staircase spirals down to the store below.
Credit: CNET Networks
This is at 7:30 PM on a Wednesday night and this place was still packed. Virtually every one of the many demo Macs in the store was in use, and whenever someone walked away from one of the demo Macs, someone else usually stepped right up to quickly take their place. It appeared that people were basically using these as public Internet terminals, albeit for the technophile crowd.
Credit: CNET Networks
Jason Hiner is Editorial Director of CNET and former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic. He's co-author of the book, Follow the Geeks.
