Apple pilots program to loan iPads to retail employees

CNET reports that Apple is trying out a new program to let retail employees "check out" an iPad for a week at a time. They're free to use the iPads and familiarize themselves with that device during the week. When the time is up, the unit is to be returned to the store's loaner stock.

For now, CNET says, the program is limited to Apple's San Francisco store in California. It certainly makes sense to let sales people familiarize themselves with the things they're selling. So far, there's no word on if or when this program will launch at other locations.