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"China loves Apple products \u2014 droves of consumers line up to get their hands on the latest devices every time the company releases a new model in the country. But according to a new report, the iPad mini launch on Friday failed to bring out the crowds.\nIDG News Service  is reporting that the turnout for the debut of Apple's 7.9-inch tablet in China was minimal, even in highly-trafficked areas such as Apple's new flagship store in Beijing. The report said the lines were \"nearly nonexistent.\"\nSEE ALSO: IPad Mini in Short Supply Until Next Year\n\nThe Beijing store opened its doors at 9 a.m. to consumers who had made a reservation online to buy the iPad mini in the store, but only four shoppers entered within the first hour. Apple implemented a reservation-only system for new product launches in July to better manage the influx of crowds. \nIDC noted the few who arrived at the flagship location to purchase an iPad mini on Friday were turned away because they didn't make a reservation online. However, one might also assume Chinese consumers don't have a big interest in the iPad mini because many already own the iPhone and iPad. \nThe iPhone 5 will go on sale in China next week.\nWill the iPhone 5 attract more consumers than the iPad mini in China? Do you think the reservation-only system is a deterrent to buying Apple products or do you think people are just less interested in the iPad mini? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.\nImage courtesy of Apple\n\n\n9 Innovative, Beautiful Apple Store Designs\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPudong (Shanghai)\nApple made its Louvre-like design famous in New York, but Shanghai\u2019s stunning cylindrical glass entrance is a sight to see. A glass spiral staircase leads shoppers to the store below. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nParis, France\nThe Apple Op\u00E9ra Store \u2013 facing the city\u2019s famous Opera de Paris, is gorgeous and very Parisian. The location, which opened in 2010, features original d\u00E9cor from the bank that once occupied the space. Inside, carved wooden stairs with wrought-iron railings connect the floors, instead of Apple\u2019s signature glass and chrome steps. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAix en Provence, France\nThis artist rendering recently appeared in AixEnProvence.fr magazine and is said to be the design for Apple\u2019s latest location in Aix en Provence, France. According to the image, the store will be a low-lying building made entirely of glass walls with just one solid, wood wall where the Genius Bar would be. It\u2019s expected to open in late 2012 or early 2013.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCovent Garden, London\nThe Apple Store in Covent Garden is the heart of London. It features sweeping, covered archways outside the historic store and a central see-through ceiling inside. The interior also features two glass staircases, a spiral and a square-shaped one.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGrand Central, New York\nWhat sets the Grand Central Station store in New York City apart from others \u2013 in addition to its record size of 23,000 square feet, making it the largest in the world \u2013 is its location. The store overlooks and wraps around the main concourse of New York\u2019s classic commuter station from the East and North East balconies of the main concourse, which serves as a beautiful backdrop to the Apple experience.  Some 750,000 people pass by the store in an average day.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNanjing East (Shanghai)\nInstead of Apple\u2019s typical square-like exterior, the coating of glass that lines the Nanjing East (Shanghai) store is rounded on its corners. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSanlitun (Bejing)\nApple\u2019s flagship store in Bejing in its Sanlitun shopping distract made the news recently after angry customers tossed eggs at the location after it cancelled the launch of the iPhone 4S -- due to the amount of people that flocked to the store and to ensure safety in the area. Launched in 2008, this was the company\u2019s first Apple store in China. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIFC Mall (Hong Kong)\nApple\u2019s flagship store in Hong Kong \u2013 which launched in September 2011 \u2013 is unique in that it sits on what resembles an overpass, so cars can drive below.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFifth Avenue, New York\nApple\u2019s Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York has become iconic for its Louvre-like glass design and plunging glass staircase. Launched in 2006, the store is now a model for innovative design. Apple recently renovated the glass cube for an estimated cost of $6.6 million. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/12/07/ipad-mini-launch-china/>