I can think of some reasons: Perhaps they need to synchronize the deployment of the new product data across many data centers, in many different countries; or maybe the new product set comes as a file and is imported into a centralize database, which may take a few hours to update; or maybe they need to flush all product cache and this takes some time.
When you have massively distributed systems, data propagation and caching can take time. Taking the system down during may affect customer access, but can ultimately prove beneficial by decreasing customer-facing integrity issues, such as obsolete prices or product descriptions.
Perhaps Apple is conscious of this and wants to avoid such issues. The alternative is to do like, say, Amazon and Google, and perform live updates, which increases the chance of integrity issues and customer problems. These happen more often than many would like to admit--as we have seen here in El Reg many times before.
http://www.apple.com/uk/imac/ it's back up, with new iMac, Mac Mini and a free copy of the latest Star Trek film judging by the picture.. (removes tongue from cheek)
I imagine they want to launch their entire new product range at a given date and time, and don't want to be taking orders for the old kit at the old prices in the meantime.
Plus: taking the Apple store down for a few hours will create an instant press buzz.
Worked rather well, it seems. Brought Twitter to its knees as well.
Shiny shiny! New svelte iMac, beefed up minis, and a rather neat mouse- now that I am tempted by. Time in seconds before someone gets the new mouse fully supported in a Linux desktop environment? Not long, I'll be bound.
It's hilarious how low-key and slick their marketing is- the noise level as all the flamewars break out do their work for them.
Meantime, if anyone has a spare "Magic Mouse" for me to hack on...
Velocity Micro Edge Z30 Midsize Desktop (2.66GHz Intel Core i5 750, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 1TB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 27" LCD)
HP (Hewlett-Packard) Pavilion p6210f Mini-Tower Desktop (2.6GHz Athlon II X4 620, 6GB DDR2, 640GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Windows 7 Home Premium)
HP (Hewlett-Packard) Compaq Presario CQ5210F Mini-Tower Desktop (2.7GHz Athlon 64 X2 215, 3GB DDR2, 500GB, DVD±RW DL, Windows 7 Home Premium)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 500GB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 21.5" LCD)
Apple Store down - new cultware coming?
Neill Mitchell
Why? #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 16:39 GMT
Why do they have to bring the site down to add new products? That's pretty lame design!
J 3
Why? #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
Because it's good marketing, that's why.
Otherwise, would we have heard of it as soon and as much?
If there's one thing everyone must agree the Fruit sure knows how to do well, that is marketing.
Or not.
Phil Rigby
Works here #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
As of 1:05pm EST, no problems accessing the iTunes store or downloading the free music that Starbucks gives away :-)
James O'Shea
it's back #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
New iMacs, new MacBook, new mouse, new keyboard, new Mac minis, probably other new stuff.
bolccg
Re: Why? #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
Yeah, I was thinking that myself.
MartinLee
@Neill To drum up interest #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
Through articles like these.
Anonymous Coward
Why? #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
So articles like this get written and people visit the site :)
magnetik
@Neil Mitchell #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
I suspect it's more about building hype than design ...
alphaxion
it's obvious #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
why they do it.
partly as an homage yo the "under construction" signs that used to adorn the net and, most importantly, it garners hype/attention.
Would there be any anticipation for a simple price change or extra product roll out if they simply performed a batch update to some records?
no, far better to drop the whole site and get a similar boost to sales as a bank holiday sale when it does come back,
Marky W
Some sexy kit there now #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
Loving the new mouse especially. It's the simpler things that make the difference...
DZ-Jay
Re: Why? #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
I can think of some reasons: Perhaps they need to synchronize the deployment of the new product data across many data centers, in many different countries; or maybe the new product set comes as a file and is imported into a centralize database, which may take a few hours to update; or maybe they need to flush all product cache and this takes some time.
When you have massively distributed systems, data propagation and caching can take time. Taking the system down during may affect customer access, but can ultimately prove beneficial by decreasing customer-facing integrity issues, such as obsolete prices or product descriptions.
Perhaps Apple is conscious of this and wants to avoid such issues. The alternative is to do like, say, Amazon and Google, and perform live updates, which increases the chance of integrity issues and customer problems. These happen more often than many would like to admit--as we have seen here in El Reg many times before.
-dZ.
Annihilator
New iMac #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
http://www.apple.com/uk/imac/ it's back up, with new iMac, Mac Mini and a free copy of the latest Star Trek film judging by the picture.. (removes tongue from cheek)
Anonymous Coward
Hype #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
There is no technical reason, it's purely to get stories like this posted and therefore getting advertising for free.
david bates
@Neill #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
Its so that tech sites will run 'apple store down - something shiny this was comes...' stories.
mrweekender
Cultware? WTF!? #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
You Sir are a massive pleb!
Matt Bradley
@Neill Mitchell #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
... or brilliant marketing.
I imagine they want to launch their entire new product range at a given date and time, and don't want to be taking orders for the old kit at the old prices in the meantime.
Plus: taking the Apple store down for a few hours will create an instant press buzz.
Worked rather well, it seems. Brought Twitter to its knees as well.
GavinL
Store Open #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
The store is back up,
New mini, macbook and iMacs with even bigger screens.
Rodrigo Valenzuela
@Neill Mitchell #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:10 GMT
Agreed, if you consider only the technical part.
But if you get websites like El Reg to notice this, and publish it on their sites: Free publicity!
Apple being Apple, publicity must be considered at all times.
R
Matthew Burling
re: Neill Mitchell #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 18:24 GMT
Because it makes a big stir.
Anonymous Coward
..and another thing... #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 21:03 GMT
Mac Mini with two HDs and Snow Leopard Server?
That is SHINY. Gawd daym.
Anonymous Coward
Ok, well played again, fruitsters.. #
Posted Tuesday 20th October 2009 21:03 GMT
Shiny shiny! New svelte iMac, beefed up minis, and a rather neat mouse- now that I am tempted by. Time in seconds before someone gets the new mouse fully supported in a Linux desktop environment? Not long, I'll be bound.
It's hilarious how low-key and slick their marketing is- the noise level as all the flamewars break out do their work for them.
Meantime, if anyone has a spare "Magic Mouse" for me to hack on...
Rob 50
Cu*tware? Excellent word #
Posted Thursday 22nd October 2009 13:51 GMT
.. oh.. hang on, I misread