Apple Store Operations Begin Returning to Normal as Customers Again Able to Try on AirPods

There are signs that Apple's retail store operations are beginning to return to normal as some locations have once again started allowing U.S. customers to try on AirPods.

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According to Bloomberg, Apple stores that are open for customer walk-ins are letting customers test out AirPods, something that has been restricted since Apple Stores first began closing last spring.

Apple still has stores that are operating on a pickup-only basis as "Express" locations, and in these areas, there is no option to try on AirPods, but in all other stores, customers can test the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.

All of Apple's retail locations in the United States were reopen as of March 1, with that date marking the first time all stores were operational since stores started closing in March 2020.

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Top Rated Comments

mikeyteh Avatar
64 months ago
Try on AirPods? No thanks. I'm not sure I would have wanted to do that pre-covid.
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kev0172 Avatar
64 months ago

You are free to stay home.

I, however, have been outside every single day since the pandemic, and without a mask.
Well done. You might have killed someone
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JCoe13 Avatar
64 months ago
Pandemic or not, no thank you.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
magicschoolbus Avatar
64 months ago

You are free to stay home.

I, however, have been outside every single day since the pandemic, and without a mask.
I do stay home, and on the rare occasion I do go out, I wear a mask. I also have received my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I believe it's our patriotic duty to protect each other and to come together to get our economy back on track. I also would not want to try on AirPods even if there was no pandemic. I ordered mine off of Amazon a couple months back and they fit perfectly fine.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cbaca51 Avatar
64 months ago

You are free to stay home.

I, however, have been outside every single day since the pandemic, and without a mask.
Congrats on your ignorance
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Andronicus Avatar
64 months ago

You are free to stay home.

I, however, have been outside every single day since the pandemic, and without a mask.
some people are less selfish.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)