The Business Centre

Amid the hype of Apple's first retail store opening in Australia this week, it's easy to be intrigued by the 750 square metres of glass used in its construction. What's more intriguing, however, is Apple's unique approach to retail.

Apart from being in an unusual location for a consumer electronics store, Apple considers their retail stores as part of a community and as a gathering place. According to Ron Johnson, Apple's senior vice-president of retail, the stores are designed not just as a point of sale, but a place where everyday consumers can come to get the most out of their Apple products.

It's not surprising to learn then that every Mac on display in the Apple Store is fully functional and connected to the Internet. In addition, all customers have access to unlimited free Internet use on all computers; every iPod is preloaded with music and videos so customers get the full user experience.

Being able to listen to music, watch videos and browse the Web via Wi-Fi through an iPod touch, for example, is an experience not found in many other retail stores.

In addition to Apple products, the Apple Store also sells a wide range of accessories and third party products. Amongst these are a multitude of iPod, and soon, iPhone accessories when the iPhone 3G is launched on July 11.

Here are some of the Apple and third-party hardware and software products you can expect to see on display when Apple Store Sydney opens its doors:

Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display

Apple Mighty Mouse

Apple TV

Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse

Apple TV

Apple Wired Keyboard

Apple iPod nano (3rd Generation)

Bose SoundDock

Apple iPod shuffle (Updated 2nd Generation)

Apple Nike + iPod

Apple iPod classic

Apple iPod touch

Apple Mac OS X Leopard

Apple iWork '08

Apple iLife 08

Apple MacBook Air

Apple iMac 24in 2.8GHz

Apple Mac Mini Core 2 Duo

Apple MacBook Pro (15in)

Apple iPhone 3G