Heads up-- Apple's sales are in a slump, so the company's enacting a few measures to try to move a little more product. Among those changes, according to MacWEEK, is the apparent elimination of the "Apple Store Exclusive." You know what we mean, right? Right now you can't waltz into your local Apple dealer (heck, you probably shouldn't be waltzing anywhere without a dance floor, but that's a whole 'nother story), plunk down a couple grand, and stroll out with a 500 MHz Cube. Sure, you can probably pick up a 450 MHz model or two-- with the slow sales, we doubt you'll have much trouble finding them-- but the 500 MHz version is only available from the Apple Store. So far.

But it seems that's all about to change. For instance, ClubMac is already advertising the Key Lime iBook Special Edition on its site-- formerly an Apple Store Exclusive. And soon other products will follow suit, which means that not long from now you'll be able to pick up the much-beloved Pro Mouse and the not-quite-as-beloved Pro Keyboard at your local CompUSA, if you're so inclined. Yes, folks, it's a startling move, to be sure, but in a drastic departure from long-standing tradition, Apple is actually making it easier for us to buy its products. (Don't panic.)

Now, we doubt that every online exclusive will by winging its way to retail; in particular, we just can't see the Mac OS X public beta appearing on the shelves at our local Micro Center. Moreover, we imagine that certain build-to-order options (such as the Radeon upgrade to the Cube) will keep traffic at the Apple Store chugging along nicely. Our only real concern with this whole scheme is a public health issue. We imagine that, soon, Key Lime iBooks will appear as demo models at retail outlets, thus allowing for the possible accidental exposure of the color to people whose hearts or retinas can't take it.

Then again, our understanding is that the real Key Lime iBooks aren't nearly as painful as the photos on Apple's web site make it appear-- and reports of Key Lime casualties at the Apple Expo in Paris where it was first unveiled were few and far between. In fact, we're rather excited at the prospect of finally being able to see Apple's most controversial color in person without actually having to slap another $1799 on the ol' credit card. Don't worry; we'll bring a welder's mask just in case.