MacBook Neo sells out at Bethesda Row Apple Store (Photos)

The MacBook Neo has arrived at the Apple Store at 4860 Bethesda Avenue at Bethesda Row, and quickly sold out. Initially listed as available for pickup purchase at the store, by last evening, in-store availability was updated to "April 6." Designed to be more competitive with the Google Chromebook, the $600 fanless laptop appears to have met a strong demand in a downtown Bethesda where average incomes have dropped in recent years. Renters being placed into vacant luxury apartments at contract rates below the advertised market rate may be enjoying a subsidized upscale pad, but still can't afford the top-of-the-line MacBooks, not a rare circumstance in a nation gripped by an affordability crisis. Enter the Neo, which employs an iPhone chip instead of the M chips that power its high-end brethren. 

Bethesda Row Apple Store ready for iPhone 15 launch day (Photos)

The illuminated Apple logo outside the Bethesda Row Apple Store has been dark at night in recent months. But not last night, as elves scurried about inside, preparing for today's launch of the iPhone 15. Unlike some years ago, no one was camped out the night before. But reports from around the world indicate there is still enough excitement in countries like India and Australia to keep Apple fans outdoors all night to get their iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, the new Apple Watch SE, and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging (USB-C). 

Bethesda Row Apple Store gets an exterior touch-up

An after-hours effort to spruce up the front facade of the Apple Store at 4860 Bethesda Avenue was underway last night at Bethesda Row. Workers from building maintenance firm Stuart Dean were on scaffolding out front, leading upward to the store's iconic illuminated logo. Apple, as always, is meticulous about every detail when it comes to design and aesthetics. It has contracted with Stuart Dean for over a decade to prep its stores for grand openings, and to handle routine maintenance like this. Stuart Dean specializes in upkeep of some of the trademark materials Apple employs in its retail store design.

Bethesda Row Apple Store security team meets after armed robbery (Photos)

The security team at the Bethesda Row Apple Store held a meeting after the store closed last night, in the wake of Saturday afternoon's armed robbery there. Montgomery County police were called to the store at 5:59 PM, Saturday, October 22, 2022. Five police cruisers responded to the report of an armed robbery, and all customers were evacuated from the store. No injuries were reported.

According to DC Realtime News on Twitter, a suspect brandishing a golden Glock handgun with an extended magazine entered the store, and was able to leave with three Mac computers. Montgomery County police have not yet issued a press release, suspect description, or surveillance footage of the incident as of this writing.

iPhone 14 arrives at Bethesda Row Apple Store

Employees were working late into the night Thursday at the Bethesda Row Apple Store to prepare for today's launch of the new iPhone 14. If you're looking for the iPhone 14 Plus, that won't be arriving until October 7. The new phone includes improved cameras, Action Mode for the best video recording stablization yet, and Crash Detection and Emergency SOS services that utilize satellites to summon help if you are off the grid.

Employees working last night to prepare
for today's new iPhone14 launch

Bethesda Row Apple Store sets Grand Reopening date after upgrades

The massive new Video Wall at the Bethesda Row Apple Store was still under wraps when I passed by Monday night, but the curtains will part before the week is over. Apple has announced the store will host a Grand Reopening to show off several weeks' worth of upgrades this Friday, February 28, 2020.

Guests will also be able to learn more about and experience the classes the upgrades were designed to enhance, Today at Apple sessions. Apple promises you will create fun videos, write your first line of code, and take an indoor Art Walk using the company's latest devices.

Bethesda Row Apple Store to soon give customers "even better Today at Apple experience"

A store update being rolled out worldwide by Apple has come to the Bethesda Row Apple Store. An announcement on a temporary construction wall erected at the back of the store says, "An even better Today at Apple experience is coming soon."

What does this mean? Primarily, the installation of what Apple calls a "Forum," which is highlighted by a 6K or 8K video wall that plays a key role in Today at Apple sessions. At stores with large enough space, special seating, new lighting fixtures, and even live plant green walls are part of the makeover for the Forum space. The company has tried to not only increase the offerings of the Today at Apple seminars, but also reduce barriers such as providing iPhones or iPads to non-Apple owners and no longer requiring an Apple ID to participate.

iPhone 6s, 6s Plus buyers still willing to wait in line at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Apple fans were still lining up for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus last evening at the Bethesda Row Apple Store. The new phones are expected to generate major sales numbers for the company this fall into the holidays.

Not all Apple products are as popular these days. The humbled and nearly-forgotten iPod has been relegated to the back of the store.

Apple Watch arrives at Bethesda Row Apple Store - but Apple snubs Bethesda on Edition model (Photos)

The eagerly-awaited Apple Watch is available for your perusal now at the Bethesda Row Apple Store. I noticed extra security and staff were on hand for the occasion Friday.

You won't actually be able to take it home, however. Pre-ordering is underway, but the watch doesn't actually go on sale until April 24.

But in a rare gaffe, the tech giant has snubbed wealthy Bethesda. The high-end Apple Watch model, the $17,000 Apple Watch Edition in 18k gold, is not available at the Bethesda Row store. This despite the store being located in what was recently named America's richest town!

Oops!

Just yards away from Edgemoor McMansions, and construction sites for condos "from the several millions," Apple finds the Bethesda Row store apparently unworthy to host the Apple Watch Edition. Yet it is available at the Tysons Corner store. Sure, that's close to fabulously-expensive single-family homes in McLean. But McLean wasn't named the Richest Town in America.

That aside, let's have a look at this new piece of high-technology that USA Today tech expert Ed Baig says is a must-have - if you can afford it.

This is Bethesda - we can afford it!

A selection of colors

On-target GPS

You can change your
watch face - hopefully
Apple will eventually
open the watch face
design options to
third parties

Nice to have airline and Amtrak
travel options - and that all-important
Starbucks card!

One other new item that could be overshadowed by the watch, is the new MacBook:

iPhone 6 LINE WRAPS AROUND BETHESDA ROW APPLE STORE (PHOTOS)

Apple fans coveting the new iPhone 6 were out in force early last evening on Bethesda Avenue. The line grew as the night went on, wrapping around the building and extending into the alleyway between the store and Uncle Julio's. The man at the head of the line came prepared with a camping hammock he found at Costco. One person lined up for the $199-starting-price phone said he was currently unemployed, after being laid off recently. The iPhone 6 (and plus model in particular) is expected to be hard to get in the weeks ahead.

Pass me a margarita

Costco hammock

Best seat in the house

Those further back in
line found themselves
in Old México

But that didn't stop them
from firing up their
iPhones and MacBooks

Mild weather turned
out to be a blessing
for iPhone 6 seekers