Video: New Apple store opens for public in Dubai Mall

Customers check Apple gadgets in the newly opened Apple store in Dubai Mall.

More than a thousand Apple fans turned up at the official opening of the Dubai Mall Apple Store on Thursday.
The first customer arrived at Dubai Mall 13 hours prior to the opening, which was at 4:00pm. 
This is the third Apple Store in the UAE, followed by one in the Mall of the Emirates and in Abu Dhabi's Yas Mall.
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The staff at the Apple Store welcomed the customers in the Apple-classic style they always do across each of their store openings or product launches - they formed a line and clapped enthusiastically as each customer walked in.
The first customer, UAE national Mohammed Jawad, said he was in line for the opening of the store since 5:30am.
"I drove all the way from Abu Dhabi. This is not my first, I've been to so many Apple Stores around the world - Hawaii, Japan, all over Europe, San Francisco and many more. Every one of them has their own unique feature. I love being the first one to get inside the stores and see what's so special about them. I've been an Apple fan for 18 years. I have one of the largest Apple collections in the UAE, they call me 'Appleholic' and I'm going to continue doing it."
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A Filipino customer, Romeo Junior, said that this new Apple Store is the most creatively designed in the UAE.
The store has a 185-foot curved glass facade, which is spread over two floors on the ground and first levels of the mall above the entrance from the Dubai Fountain and Souk Al Bahar. It has a balcony featuring "Solar Wings", which is meant to keep the store cool during the day and swivels around to open at night for a new view of the Dubai Fountain.
Junior said: "It's so fantastic how they've designed it. People would really want to come into and see it. It's an honour to be part of the opening of this store."
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Another customer, Jasmine Terry, said she waited two hours in the line to get inside the store.

"It's not every day that you get to experience the opening of an Apple Store. This is going to do down in history. And just look at the way they have this designed this store. It's great for the mall and the store. People might travel from overseas just to see this store," she said.
Sumruthi Abhilash was also at the opening. "Apple is a very popular brand and people would want to be a part of the inauguration of any of the stores. From the way they welcome the guests to the quality of the products - it's a great brand," she said.
The store has 148 staff members who speak 45 different languages. It also features new nooks dedicated to Apple's offerings, such as those for Apple Music, the App Store and photography.
On the second floor, it has a venue to conduct seminars and programmes, which can seat up to 75 people.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com