The company has posted the available positions on numerous job boards such as 37 Signals’ and Smashing Magazine’s. Here are some specifics for both positions:

Sr. Web UI Engineer at Apple Inc.

Type: Full-time Job
Location: Cupertino, CA
Apple is seeking a Senior Web Front-End Engineer to help create and define the interactivity of Apple’s Online Store. This senior front end engineer will be responsible for architectural oversight of front-end technologies as well as collaborating on ideas with other Senior Engineers in other disciplines.

Responsibilities:
- Lead development efforts on large scale projects, ensuring robust & lasting solutions are implemented.
- Maintain JavaScript libraries: Adding and pruning them as necessary and providing documentation to be leveraged by other engineers.
- Mentor team members: Educate on software development best practices and new technologies.
- Innovate: Design things that people will blog and Twitter about.

Minimum of 7 years of professional software development experience with front end web development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS, AJAX)

- Comfortable with source version control software (CVS, SVN, Git)
- Well-versed in fundamental visual and interactive design discipline
- Strive to use web standards to build solutions using semantic markup and CSS.
- Understanding of all major browsers and the special coding required for all various quirks.
- Competent JavaScript programmer who doesn’t need to rely on libraries to accomplish innovative interactions.
- Aware of the interplay between JavaScript and HTML & CSS, and can dynamically create, modify, and style elements on a page with ease.
- Able to communicate front-end issues with back-end developers.

Video Editor Product Designer, Pro Apps

Apple’s Pro Apps Design Group is seeking a passionate video editor who understands the complexity of software product design. This person must possess a relentless attention to detail, a gifted eye for aesthetics and the ability to quickly grasp and distill highly complex matters.

The candidate will work closely with all designers, producers, engineers, and other editors to design the future of Pro Apps; high-visibility applications that are used daily by creative professionals working in post-production (examples include Final Cut Pro, Motion and Soundtrack Pro).

The designer will be responsible for researching, designing and prototyping new user experiences and features, creating design mockups, producing visual assets and writing behavioral documentation (required for proper design implementation).

The candidate must be a natural collaborator who prefers being creative in a team environment, a passionate customer advocate and be capable of crafting and designing simple solutions to complex design problems.

Qualifications:
-Minimum 5 years of experience as a video editor, with sound design/production, motion graphics, photography, and videography skills.
-Experienced creating or designing innovative and visually stunning user experiences for software, games, DVDs, video, or the web.
-Degree in film production, interaction design, human factors and/or visual design (or equivalent).
-An outstanding body of work demonstrated as a reel (film, TV, web examples) or design portfolio demonstrating the successful delivery of innovative video, motion graphics, and/or design.
-Understanding of Apple’s human interface design language and the ability to translate it into future designs of Apple’s professional applications.
-Exceptional understanding of fundamental design disciplines (typography, composition, information architecture, color and animation) and principals (affordance, clustering, consistency, usability, etc.).
-The ideal candidate is not afraid of a blank white board or blank screen.

Software Skills:
-Expert-level knowledge of editing, motion graphics, and finishing suites like FCP, Avid, Smoke, Luster, etc.
-Highly versed in graphic design tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Omnigraffle, etc.
-Complete mastery of the Mac OS X platform.
-Advanced knowledge of interaction prototyping tools such as Flash, Director and/or AfterEffects is a big plus.

Interestingly, in relation to the pro apps video editing position, we recently covered an interesting Apple patent (Apple Patent Shows Interest in Film Production, Script-Integrated Storyboards) that may possibly relates to this position.

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Microsoft did not announce the number of stores they are planning to open, which products would be sold at the stores, or when they were planning on unveiling the first locations.

Former DreamWorks Animation executive David Porter was named Microsoft’s new Vice President of Retail Stores, and with the position comes most of the decision making responsibilities. Porter will report directly to Microsoft COO Kevin Turner.

Microsoft Appoints David Porter as Corporate Vice President of Retail Stores
Twenty-seven-year retail veteran will focus on transforming the PC and device-buying experience for retail consumers and developing and rolling out new Microsoft-branded stores.

REDMOND, Wash. — Feb. 12, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that David Porter will join the company as corporate vice president of Retail Stores. He will lead Microsoft’s efforts to create a better PC and Microsoft retail purchase experience for consumers worldwide through the development and opening of the company’s own retail stores. Porter will report to Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner. He is joining Microsoft from DreamWorks Animation SKG, where he was head of worldwide product distribution.

“I am delighted to welcome David to Microsoft,” Turner said. “This is an exciting time with our strong lineup of upcoming product releases including Windows 7 and new releases of Windows Live and Windows Mobile. We’re also working hard to transform the PC and Microsoft buying experience at retail by improving the articulation and demonstration of the Microsoft innovation and value proposition so that it’s clear, simple and straightforward for consumers everywhere. David’s unique and diverse background, coupled with his deep retail roots and distribution understanding, will be an invaluable asset in this long-term effort.”

“There are tremendous opportunities ahead for Microsoft to create a world-class shopping experience for our customers,” Porter said. “I am excited about helping consumers make more informed decisions about their PC and software purchases, and we’ll share learnings from our stores with our existing retail and OEM partners that are critical to our success.”

Defining the time frame, locations and specifics for planned Microsoft-branded retail stores will be Porter’s first order of business. The purpose of opening these stores is to create deeper engagement with consumers and continue to learn firsthand about what they want and how they buy.

Porter, whose new role and focus will complement the work Microsoft is already doing with its retail partners, will work in close partnership with leaders of existing retail programs in Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Division.

Before joining DreamWorks Animation in 2007, Porter spent 25 years at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in roles of increasing responsibility and seniority in store operations, merchandising and information technology. In his last role at Wal-Mart, Porter was vice president and general merchandise manager of Entertainment, where he served as a strategic point of influence throughout the Wal-Mart business.

Porter’s first day at Microsoft will be Feb. 16, 2009.

Rumors regarding plans for Microsoft branded retail stores have been around for some time. The official announcement from Microsoft does not come as a shock. Retail expansion has been proven incredibly lucrative for Apple, with past reports explaining that Apple nets over $4,000/year for every square foot of retail space it operates.

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A report from tinycomb.com explains that this is primarily being done by Apple in an effort to thwart thieves and turn off loiterers from coming into the stores.

In an effort to thwart off time-theft and loiterers, Apple has decided to add Facebook to the list of banned websites at retail locations nationwide. When I asked some of the genius’ today whether or not anyone noticed the change, they all said that Facebook stopped working sometime in the past week. One of the genius’ said “Apple Stores have become a regular Internet Cafe, so placing the most popular time-killer [Facebook] of them all on the banned-list will certainly help everyone get a chance to test out the computers”.

In May of 2007, MySpace was also banned from all retail Apple Stores. Apple gave the following reasoning, “Nearly 2 million people visit Apple Stores every week. We want to provide everyone a chance to test-drive a Mac, so we are no longer offering access to MySpace in our stores.”

Update: MacBlogz has contacted a high number of Apple Stores, as well as gotten in touch with a colleague who helps run a very important flagship Apple Store. Every single store has Facebook access blocked and we got the following quote from our colleague:

“Yes, it is true. Facebook has been blocked in my store’s front-side network. If you work here, you have those privileges, if not, you will not be able to access the site from a demo machine.”

Fortune says it is on a store-by-store basis, however, every single Apple store we have called today gives the same response, that Facebook is indeed banned.

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The earliest cutoff date is December 17th, which applies to customized Mac computer purchases. If you are interested in purchasing a custom configured iMac, Mac mini, Macbook, Macbook Pro or Mac Pro, and delivery by December 25th is of importance, you have until December 17th to place your order.

For the rest of its products, a handy chart has been added to the online Apple Store. Of note, engraved iPod models have December 19th as the cutoff date for ordering, with no availability on last minute overnight shipping.

Aside from custom configured Macs, and engraved iPods, most items can be ordered on December 23rd if you can muster up paying for overnight shipping. If you’re looking to take advantage of Apple’s free standard shipping, then make sure and place your orders before December 17th (Macs) or the 19th.

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Prior to the store’s official opening, Apple had a pattern splattered across the facade of the building resembling the Bavarian flag, only with blue iPod nanos. As previously explained, T-Mobile carries the iPhone in these parts of the world, so Apple’s physical presence was already fairly strong. The addition of a new flagship store in the area will only increase brand recognition and awareness of Apple as a whole.

MacDailyNews points us to a 360 degree panorama VR of the opening crowd. Additionally, the video below is from Martin in Munich (via Youtube). Many more images via flickr

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As you can see, the diagonal blue ipod pattern very closely resembles the Bavarian flag.

As Macenstein notes, the facade of the soon-to-be-opened store is covered with blue iPod nanos flowing diagonally. When compared to the Bavarian flag (as pictured above), the pattern is very similar. As for an opening date, musician Laith Al-Deen had a performance scheduled for December 10th at the new Apple Store in Munich, however has since removed the scheduled appearance from his website.

T-Mobile currently carries the iPhone 3G in Germany, so Apple’s presence is fairly strong in these parts. A flagship store would only increase brand recognition in Germany and further global expansion.

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Apple will now match the price of their products, if offered for less by a competing retailer. Up until this point, Apple retail managers have not had authority to give discounts on Apple’s products.

Apple has apparently fired the first shot in the holiday shopping battle, by announcing internally that retail store employees have the authority to match the prices of other authorized retailers. The stores have also cancelled all regular presentations on Black Friday, posted holiday buying tips have on Apple’s retail Web page, and created a special iPhone 3G gift card to help bolster holiday sales. Up to now, the stores have not given managers the ability to approve certain “deals,” but there has been no general price matching policy. As well, Apple traditionally never discounts its products except on Black Friday. It’s not clear if the pricing matching will be publicly announced through advertising or Apple’s retail Web pages. The price flexibility does come with some restrictions, including the customer supplying proof of the competitor’s pricing.

Other big box retailers offer similar deals where, if customers find the same product for less, they’ll match or beat the price. As noted above, Apple does not regularly discount their products, so this does come as a welcome surprise. [via MacDailyNews]

Updates: Ars has been able to confirm the information with Apple. There is indeed a new policy in effect aimed at price matching with other resellers. The policy doesn’t just cover Apple products like Macs, iPods and iPhones – hard drives, Macbook backpacks and other accessories are covered as well.

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If you’ve recently visited an Apple Retail Store and given an employee your email address for any reason, you may have received an email asking for your feedback. Apple has begun surveying retail shoppers through a company called Medallia, which specializes in enterprise level feedback, monitoring and surveying solutions that enable companies to gather, monitor, and act on feedback from customers, partners, and employees.

Apple has contracted Medallia, an independent marketing research firm, to conduct this survey. Your responses will remain strictly confidential. You received this email because you provided your email address to Apple. If you do not wish to participate, you are not obligated to do so.

In some case, Apple’s policy is to leave surveys open for 5 days to help ensure the experience was recent when taking our survey. If you’d like to receive emails like this from Apple, you can sign up here. Alternatively, if you’d like to take this survey, get started by clicking here.

Thank you to reader TB for sending this in.

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Apple has turned the retail world upside down since they launched their first two stores in May of 2001. In the face of nay-sayers, while their competitors were closing their retail doors, Apple launched a new kind of shopping experience, and thus far it has worked. Netting the company roughly $4k per square foot annually, the Apple retail experience has been proven more than successful, it’s been a smash breakthrough for the tech firm.

New information being reported by the New York Post suggests that Apple has chosen to forgo opening a new retail store in Manhattan. Even though the stores are so immensely successful, where they are positioned and trafficked has a lot to do with any particular store’s success.

Apple controls 21-25 W. 34th St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues, diagonally across from the Empire State Building. Its 75-by-100-foot site constitutes half of the crater that also includes 27-29 W. 34th St., which has been leased to fancy footwear retailers Geox and Aldo.

Even though a building is expected to rise soon in this location, Apple’s situation and stance on the issue is less than clear. “It’s been all cloak-and-dagger,” said Prudential Douglas Elliman honcha Faith Hope Consolo. In response to the news, an An Apple rep explains, “We’ve made no announcement about that location and can’t comment.”

As Macnn points out, the space is about 18,000 square feet in size. Even though Apple has initially been excited about leasing the space, they currently pay nearly $6 million in annual rent, with absolutely no profits, benefit or property value increase at all. Apple will be sub-leasing the space through Robert K. Futterman’s website, which shows availability starting April 1st, 2009, for a 13 year maximum period.

Other shop owners and retail vendors have been understandably disappointed by the absence of an Apple Store in their area. Unless they are direct Apple resellers, any store is bound to profit and gain traffic from the presence of an Apple Store nearby. They were hoping for another flagship similar to Apple’s trademark store on Fifth Avenue in NYC. Unfortunately, a source close to the matter claims that early into the lease, Apple CEO Steve Jobs visited the space, and upon seeing a run-down, dilapidated building across the street, Jobs explained “this is not for Apple.”

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A new section of Apple’s website dedicated to the initiative states, “Take your student on a Field Trip to an Apple Store for an unforgettable learning experience. (via AppleInsider) On the Field Trip, students can create something amazing right on the spot. Or they can bring in a project they’ve already created and turn our store into a theater, sharing their achievements with parents, teachers, and friends.” Apple even asks the teacher to name a “School Champion” who can gather and present their school’s content, help distribute invitations to the event, and act as the key contact for the Apple Retail Store hosting their Field Trip. In exchange, the School Champ gets a complimentary one-year “One to One” personal training membership.

The obvious goal is to bring in younger customers before the holiday rush to add a shiny new iMac to their ever-growing Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa wish list. It is just an extra bonus that the “School Champion” will eventually become the newest volunteer Mac Genius.

Note to teachers of K-12 out there: Apple will be taking reservations for the 1-hour Field Trips here in the US and Canada starting November 21st. So be sure and get those permission slips sign, sealed and delivered.

This is how I see it going down:

Teacher: “Okay kids, be sure to get your permission slips signed for the upcoming field trip. It is gonna be a good one. You won’t want to miss out. It’s going to be a real treat”

Student #1: “Where are we going?”
Student #2: “Disneyland?”
Overachiever #1: “The modern art museum?”
Student #3: “The new Cirque de Soleil?!?!?”

Teacher: “No kids. This year, we ave been invited to explore THE APPLE STORE!”

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