The Nokia flagship store offers a few cutting-edge phones before they can be found elsewhere. Of course, calling these mobile devices “phones” doesn’t do them justice. Phones today can do a lot more than just call friends; they can take pictures, surf the Internet, and send text messages. In fact, you can send a text message from one of the demo phones that will display on a giant computer screen inside the tech shop. Within one minute, your message not only shows up on the wall inside the Chicago store, but also in the flagship store in New York City!

While Chicago and New York stores are now open in the United States, flagships have opened (and/or are set to open) in 18 cities worldwide. The stores feel just as hip and modern as the products on display. The lights and music make them feel more like dance clubs than a phone store, and the glass cases reserved for specialty items in the rear are reminiscent of a high-end jewelry boutique. The ultra-high-end Vertu phones in the back of the Chicago location start at $5000! Handmade in the UK, no plastic whatsoever is used in their construction, and the face is made of sapphire crystal, making it nearly impossible to scratch. Finally, a $59,000 model that was in the store during my last visit featured 940 diamonds, adding up to 6.6 karats.

The sleek Apple store is just a couple blocks down the street and is another place where you can check out the latest in technology. This high-tech two-story emporium on the Magnificent Mile opened in the summer of 2003 and continues to attract the famously loyal Apple fanatics devotees for workshops, classes, or the latest Mac or iPod. This interactive mecca allows customers to touch and explore to their hearts’ content. There’s even an internet café where shoppers can relax and check their e-mail. (A word of advice: Remember to always be careful about what kind of information you are sharing on a public computer. Also, make sure you are completely logged out of any e-mail services or networking sites you visit. You wouldn’t want the next user to have access to your personal information!)

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Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) krazykritter (1, 2, 3), *nathan

Nokia Store: 543 N Michigan Ave; 312-670-2607
Mon – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Street parking difficult
Public trans: Bus # 2, 3, X4, 10, 26, 29, 65, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151, 157
http://www.nokiausa.com/A4411004

Apple Store: 679 N Michigan Ave; 312-981-4104
Mon – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Street parking difficult
Public trans: Bus # 3, X4, 10, 26, 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151
http://www.apple.com/retail/northmichiganavenue/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler