Mark Gurman, writing for 9to5mac:

This Concierge program, spearheaded by Retail Senior Vice President Angela Ahrendts, moves away from the classic appointment model. Instead, a customer describes the issue to an Apple Store employee, who inputs the issue into an updated iPad application. 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.

Once you are in the queue, the new process will send you a sequence of three iMessage/SMS notifications:

• An initial text message confirming the Genius Bar request and providing the wait time
• A text message telling the customer to start heading back to the Apple Store
• A final text message telling the customer that their technician is ready to help and where they can be located in the store

Given that the vast majority of Apple Stores are in malls or adjacent to high traffic shopping areas, this would give you the chance to walk in, get on the queue, then take care of other nearby errands.

For the time being, Apple Store Genius Bar appointments that are booked online will remain mostly unchanged and will not gain the text message-based system that will replace walk-in appointments.

Question is, will a timed, online appointment place you at the front of the queue if you arrive on time?