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iPhone Battery Replacement Update

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Update 1/5/2018: Battery changed out after making a return “appointment.” Servicing took about 90 minutes. Store is full of customers wanting to check out their iPhone battery condition. iPhone 6 feels noticeably faster with the battery replacement.

Update 1/4/2018: Battery has arrived in store and need to schedule an appointment when to bring the phone in. I also got an email stating stop by anything (within 7 days), but it’s better to call back and actually set a time for the repair (1 to 2 hours).

After hearing that Apple updated its iPhone battery replacement program to begin immediately rather than late January, I made an appointment for Sunday, December 31, 2017. Unfortunately, the Kahala Apple Store Genius Bar had already exhausted its supply of in-house batteries on Saturday.

The Genius did run through a hardware diagnostic as a formality but didn’t find anything wrong with the iPhone 6 or its battery. He did say that we could change the battery for $30 regardless of the battery condition. We now have to wait about three to five days for a battery shipment then return to the Apple Store when notified.

From that point, it’s a one-hour service to swap out the battery. Not bad for $30.

And while you’re at the Apple Store, don’t look at different bands for the Apple Watch. Otherwise you might give in and get something like this deceiptively multi-colored “black” Sport Loop. Although described as black, the band has iridescent qualities showing off red, blue, green, and even more colors. It’s super nice and actually very comfortable!

Kahala Starbucks Drive Thru

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It’s getting there. I’m not sure when the new Starbucks Drive Thru in Kahala Mall is supposed to open, but it might beat the end of 2014. I thought this new store was going to be more in the corner of the Kahala Mall parking lot, but it’s on the side of the mall.

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And according to the Pacific Business News, this location is only a drive thru. You can’t walk up and order a drink. That’s kinda too bad since the inside Starbucks location is typically swamped, and a second location would offer some relief.

Ideas for Hawaii’s Second Apple Store

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While out running and letting my mind wander, I got to thinking about the possibility of Apple opening a second store at Kahala Mall. What’s a good location for an Apple Store? Then I remembered that the Consolidated Theaters in the mall were still closed after the freak floods damaged the complex. Hmm…

How about redoing the theaters into a massive Apple Store? Not quite like the glass cube Apple Store in New York, but you get the idea. That’s too much space you say, and I would agree unless Apple started branching out into its fledgling media markets. You know, the one where Apple is involved with music, videos, television shows, and movies. Movies you say? Apple doesn’t do movies yet. With Apple’s partnership with movie companies and Apple’s push towards HD and the adoption of QuickTime and high quality codecs like H.264, why not make a move towards movies with a movie theater?

Customers can go see a movie then visit the adjoining Apple Store that’ll be selling movie soundtracks on iTunes by the way. So bring your iPod with you to get instant downloads after the movie. Or thinking more progressively, why not let the people buy the movie they just watched in the theater? Pay an extra $20 to get an iPod-playable version of the just released flick! Go get coffee at Starbucks while your iPod downloads the movie. Go ahead, let your friends watch the show. That $20 you paid covers the cost of admission for two so not all ticket revenues are lost. Also, don’t forget that Apple’s DRM, Fairplay, is still in the mix preventing pirating of these movies.

How about television shows? Would you pay a few bucks to watch a television show (without commercials) on the big screen? How about if the show was an advanced showing that didn’t air on network TV yet? Say $4-5 to watch two shows like Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy on Saturday before they air on ABC on Sunday night? Would that attract viewers? Don’t know. How about including exclusive content that can’t be seen anywhere else. Would that entice people? You’d be among other fans watching the shows so there’s an instant community of fans to talk shop.

I like it!

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