It seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes even Apple is late to the game on a few things: the Cupertino company has just launched a free Apple Store app in its App Store (say that five times fast!). Once installed on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad (iTunes link), the application enables users to browse and purchase Apple products like Macs, peripherals, software, and (of course) pre-order an iPhone 4, but also shows folks where to find Apple retail locations and enables them to set up appointments for Genius Bar consultations or training sessions.
The application also has a search feature that enables customers to browse through the more than 1,000 Apple and third-party products Apple offers for sale; users can also tap into product reviews and product support resources, and manage their shopping cart.
It seems an unlikely coincidence that Apple would launch the Apple Store App the same day pre-orders for the iPhone 4 go live: users can use the application to pre-order Apple’s forthcoming handset—perhaps from their existing, soon-to-be-obsolete iPhones—and get a comforting assurance their new phone will ship to them on June 24 and be ready to use.
