Big Barrel of Apples

I wrote briefly about Apple Stores recently. The hook was that Apple plans to open 25 new stores in China in the next two years, though that's really no surprise. But I was a little surprised to learn that the most recent tally for Apple Stores worldwide is 280 or so in 41 states and 10 countries.

There are no Apple Stores in Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, either Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming, in case you were wondering.

Growed like Topsy, Apple did. Not really; it's been methodical; I just haven't been paying attention. I keep up with a fair amount of retail business, but for some reason not Apple, maybe because my mind was stuck in the days -- way back when, ca. 2003 -- when there were only a few stores, in iconic locations, such as the one on North Michigan Ave.

Turns out the Michigan Ave. store was the 59th location, while the iconic glass cube on Fifth Avenue near Central Park came even later as the 147th store, according to this alarmingly detailed chronology of Apple Store openings. Really, now -- can you image anyone compiling such a list of new openings for, say, Subway?

I also ran across this piece in Caribbean Travel News while looking into Apple and its empire. The mind boggles: "The Celebrity Cruise Line Celebrity Eclipse, which will travel to European and Caribbean destinations, sets sail in April with an Apple Store on board.

"Celebrity Cruise Lines, like Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, realize that for some guests, technology is a must have. That’s why the new Celebrity Eclipse features an Apple Store and Internet Café called the iLounge. While enjoying a relaxing Europe- or Caribbean-bound cruise, guests can sharpen their Mac skills. Visitors to the iLounge can purchase Apple products, and they also have the option to sign up for courses in iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and iWeb."