MacShrine

Apple today confirmed they have banned access to MySpace.com from all Apple Stores. This is the first time Apple has blocked a specific website. The ban was brought about because “heavy MySpace use was simply getting in the way of business”.

Seems Apple has gone all Holiday on us with the new ads and now making Apple Store staff where shirts with the following slogans on the back:

1. Give movies, give music, give TV shows.
2. Give now. Borrow later.
3. They asked for something colorful. Didn’t mean a sweater.
4. Tech the halls.
5. For a PC user it’s not a gift. It’s an intervention.
6. Looking for something they’ll actually wear?
7. This could be the end of regifting. And rebooting.

The new MacBooks have been pushed off Apples front page less than 3 days after launch to make way for the new Apple Store “cube” on 5th Avenue, New York. The first 2000 people there are 6pm today get a t-shirt, and they’re giving away MacBooks every hour. Seems like the queue started last night though, so if you want that shirt eBay is your best option now. This is the second Apple Store in New York and the first 24/7/365 store of Apples globally. I’m still confused about how they’re going to clean the place. Anyway, it looks amazing and congrats to Apple!

Apple’s European VP, Pascal Cagni, told the French newspaper “Presse Océan” that a Paris Apple Store could be opened as soon as this year. He said that Apple has long been planning a store in Champs Elysées. However, the first location will open somewhere else in Paris, then a second location, in Champs Elysées, should open in 2007. Apple has been rumoured to be planning Apple Store locations in Paris since it started opening its first stores in Europe. I’m personally quite excited, way to go Apple!

For you environmentalists, a shot of the new Apple lite (still hyper over my DS lite arriving…) software packaging. Safe paper, safe the rainforest, safe our Earth! Apple is one of the top 10 most environmentally friendly companies in the world if you cared to know.

This image has been floating around for some time, just thought I’d post it if you hadn’t seen it before. This is a sketch of the proposed Apple Store to be built in Boston. If it was built, it’d be awesome!

Apple plans to open a four-story flagship store on Boylston Street across from the Prudential Center in what would be its first location in Boston, said a local official yesterday who has direct knowledge of the deal. Apple is purchasing the building, which currently houses Copy Cop, and is planning to take it down and erect a glass-covered retail “jewel” within the next two years, according to the official, who asked for anonymity because the project is not yet public. The building is said to be Apples first 24/7 store. Apple spokeswoman Monica Wik declined to comment.

A search on the Apple UK jobs page reveals a new Apple Store, West Quay at Southampton! This will be the 7th Apple Store to open in the UK. So yeh, whooo!

Not every Apple store in the United States took the day off on Thanksgiving. A comment on MacDailyNews, has someone identifying himself at Robert A. Jones says he visited The Gateway (Utah) store on Thanksgiving day, and wandered inside to find about 15 other visitors strolling the aisles. One of the visitors told him that no employees were on-duty and Jones noted that visitors were orderly and honest. Speculation is that an employee at the newish store forgot to lock up the night before allowing visitors to enter on Thanksgiving.