Apple on Thursday updated its retail iOS app, and as rumored last week, it includes an expansion of Apple's in-store pickup program and EasyPay, a self-checkout option for some items.
Now, when you order certain items using the app, it will give you the choice of either picking it up in a nearby store or having it shipped to you. It will also let you know whether or not the item is in stock in stores in your area. Apple has said most store-stocked items can be ready for pickup in about an hour.
Apple debuted the ship to store option a few weeks ago, starting in San Francisco and then adding Apple Stores in New York City. Since the launch of the app, the service has been added to stores in an array of cities and it will launch for additional U.S. stores as the holidays approach.
If an item isn't stocked in an Apple Store, like a custom-configured MacBook or a product that requires engraving, the app will give you an estimate of when it will be available. The app will then send you a push notification when the item is ready.
If you're shopping in an Apple Store (rather than remotely), you can pay for your purchases directly from your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S with EasyPay. Scan the item with your phone, log in with your Apple ID, and pay with the card you use to pay for iTunes purchases. You're free to leave with your purchase once you've paid, and in the event an employee wants to verify that you've paid, you can show your receipt, which is saved under the "more" tab in the app.
The app is currently available for free in the App Store. To get it, your iPhone must be running iOS 4.2 or later.