Gallery: Paper shredded by iPads at Apple stores

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    Apple has decided to take down the paper signs in its Apple stores throughout the world and replace them with iPads. ZDNet Australia's Luke Hopewell tells about his visit to an Apple store in Sydney to see what the fuss was all about.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    Inside, you'll find that Apple has kept its table arrangements almost exactly the same, only now there's a glass slab flagging the product category and a shiny iPad 2 next to each live product, running the Smart Sign app.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    With smaller devices like iPhones and iPods, Apple has built the chargers right into the Smart Sign stand.

    The Smart Sign app disables the functionality of the Home button to prevent customers from using them as normal iPad 2s; however, someone purporting to be an Apple Store manager has informed the 9to5Mac blog that a gesture sequence will unlock the tablets.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    A fleet of iPhone 4s sit on their new Smart Signs.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    Even iPod Nanos get the Smart Sign treatment.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    The Smart Sign is an Apple-built app that gives customers information about the accompanying product. Smart Sign is not available on the iOS or Mac App Store.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    Customers can compare different models in the same line. Here, you can see the Macbook being compared to the Pro and Air counterparts.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    There's the usual sales pitch to get people into the Apple way of thinking.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    The "One to One" training and service program is also offered via the app.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    Shoppers can tap the Specialist tab at the bottom corner of the app to call someone over to give them a hand.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    However, when we tapped for help, we received an error notice. We were assured that this was just a "minor glitch". If it was working, the Specialist feature would be able to bring a staff member around to help, or show you where you are in the queue.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    Even the iPad 2 table uses iPad 2s as advertisements. Confusing?

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    Apple was running one of its student tours through the Apple Store while we were there.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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    The new Apple Store, a bit full for my liking.

    Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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The Apple store in Sydney, Australia joins the rest of the Apple world by taking down its paper signs and replacing them with iPads. Here's a look.

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Apple has decided to take down the paper signs in its Apple stores throughout the world and replace them with iPads. ZDNet Australia's Luke Hopewell tells about his visit to an Apple store in Sydney to see what the fuss was all about.

Credit: Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia

Caption by: Andy Smith

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