Report: Apple Upgrading Genius Bar Appointment System

If it ain't broke… fix it? Apple may be adopting that motto when it comes to its Genius Bar.

The Cupertino tech giant is reportedly planning to overhaul its in-store repair service. According to a new report from 9to5Mac, citing several sources familiar with the company's plans, Apple is gearing up to launch a new initiative dubbed "the new concierge," which will replace the current walk-in appointment system.

As anyone who has been to the Genius Bar knows, you can either make an appointment by phone or online ahead of time, or just walk into an Apple Store, find someone in a blue shirt, explain your problem, and set up an appointment. This new system — the brainchild of Apple's Senior Vice Preside of Retail Angela Ahrendts — would prioritize appointments based on how pressing the issue is.

Under the new model, "a customer describes the issue to an Apple Store employee, who inputs the issue into an updated iPad application," 9to5Mac reports. "Using a special algorithm, the application provides the customer a wait time based on issue priorities. For example, a customer seeking an iPhone screen replacement will automatically be placed higher in the queue than a customer seeking help with a minor iCloud issue."

Customers will need to provide a phone number, and Apple will then send a text message with the wait time. If you don't feel like waiting in the store, Apple can send a follow-up text when it's time for you to start heading back, and a third message when the technician is ready, letting you know where you can find them in the store.

Several Apple employees told 9to5Mac that this is "one of the most significant changes" to Cupertino's retail operations in several years.

"This will likely reduce crowding in the Apple Store and possibly fatigue from waiting customers," the report notes. "Apple Stores will operate essentially like restaurants that provide diners with pagers and wait times instead of holding empty tables while people are waiting."

For more, check out our slideshow above of 7 Apple Stores to Visit Before You Die.