X

Apple workers get free apps in time for the holidays -- report

The free apps include popular programs that are available at a fee in Apple's App Store.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger
2 min read

Apple's brick-and-mortar workers are getting a special perk, a new report claims.

During a recent meeting discussing Apple's plans for the fourth quarter, the company announced that it will roll out a new perk for retail employees, called "App Discovery," 9to5 Mac is reporting today, citing unidentified sources with knowledge of the company's program.

Once they have access to App Discovery, employees will be able to download a host of popular paid applications for free to their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Although it might be viewed as a perk, 9to5Mac points out that the program might be designed to educate employees on the best programs to demo in-store.

Apple has been awfully nice to employees lately. Back in June, the company decided to offer employee discounts, giving its workers a $500 discount on Macs and $250 off an iPad. Those price reductions are on top of the 25 percent discount that Apple employees typically receive.

Still, brick-and-mortar employees aren't getting the kinds of perks senior executives are receiving. In September, Apple revealed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it awarded Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Mac Software Engineering, and Dan Riccio, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, 75,000 shares of company stock as part of their promotions. At that time, the stock grants were worth over $50 million.

According to 9to5Mac's sources, App Discovery launches this week and doesn't extend to Apple's Mac App Store.

CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the report. We will update this story when we have more information.